COVID-19 Updates

 

July 22, 2020 - Update in Response to Dr. Minns' Emergency Health Order

On July 22nd, Dr. Garold Minns, Sedgwick County Local Health Officer, signed an Emergency Public Health Order, effective Friday, the 24th day of July, 2020 at 12:01 A.M. to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Sedgwick County, KS. This order made changes to the requirements for citizens and businesses within Sedgwick County. This order included items which have effects on Field Station: Dinosaurs including:

“Any person within Sedgwick County shall cover their mouths and noses with a mask or other face covering..in the following situations:

Inside any indoor or outdoor public space where distancing of 6 feet at all times is not possible (not including individuals who reside together);
In line and waiting to enter an indoor public space;”

and

“All business, organizations and non-profit associations in Sedgwick County must require all employees, customers, visitors, members or members of the public to wear a mask or face covering when:

Employees are working in any space visited by customers or members of the public, regardless of whether anyone form the public is present at the time;

Employees who are working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others;

Customers, members, visitors or members of the public are in a facility managed by the business or organization; or

Employees are in any room or enclosed area where other people (except individuals who reside together) are present and unable to maintain a 6-foot distance except for infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity.”

and

Section 2 of Executive Order No. 20-34 is amended to state as follows: The Order specifically prohibits mass gatherings of more than 15 individuals, as subsequently described within this paragraph. Individuals, businesses,……may gather in groups of up to 15 individuals commonly known to one another. Groups of individuals must be located at least 6 feet away from other groups. If groups are not commonly known to one another, they must maintain 6 feet of distance with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity.”

While these items apply to Field Station: Dinosaurs, these restrictions and suggestions align closely with current precautions being taken currently by staff at our premises:

– Adhering to all state or local government restrictions
– Reducing “contact points” between our staff and guests in shows, games, activities and entry/exit
– Taking time to disinfect contact areas multiple times daily, as well as objects used in shows, games and activities
– Highly recommending the use of face masks for our guests and staff
– Limiting our show audiences to fall within state and local government restrictions and policy
– Closing the Kansas Climb for the 2020 season as we continue to implement our new climbing experience
– Staff will wash their hands after each show, game and activity
– Creating a preferred path throughout the Field Station to encourage social distancing
– Making changes to the Front Gate entry, allowing for smaller crowds upon entry
– Identifying and creating a clear Entry and Exit path that encourages less contact between visitors
– Expanding activities into the entire Family Camp, rather than in an enclosed space
– Staff will wear masks in all instances where social distancing can not be maintained or it interferes with our ability to perform our live show
– Any staff which is experiencing illness will not be allowed to work their shifts and will be asked to get tested at the free testing centers provided by Sedgwick County Health Department.

Field Station: Dinosaurs strongly encourages our guests to follow any recommendations put forth by this order. As an outdoor entertainment venue with a combined 14-acres of space, we are in a unique position to provide a fun and safe environment for families. While we will not turn guests away at the front gate for not wearing masks, we do ask that families use masks in situations where maintaining a responsible social distance is not possible. However, our facility is set up in many ways to encourage a safe distance between groups. Our staff will follow these guidelines set forth and wear masks in all instances where social distancing can not be maintained, while continuing to follow the standards set forth in our previous updates.

Field Station: Dinosaurs aims to continue to provide quality entertainment in a safe environment and will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in order to make decisions based on events, the CDC and future decisions by local government and health departments.

July 2, 2020 - Update in Response to Governor Kelly's Requirement for Masks in Public Spaces

On June 29th, Governor Kelly announced that she would be signing an Executive Order (EO) which will require the use of masks in public spaces throughout the state of Kansas. In this announcement, it was written that Kansans should wear a mask “…in stores and shops, restaurants, and in any situation in which social distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained, including outside.” As an outside entertainment venue, Field Station: Dinosaurs has been diligent to ensure our staff and guests remain safe, while still being able to enjoy a day of exploration and discovery.
Field Station: Dinosaurs has already taken many steps to ensure safety at our facility and will continue to do so at a high level. We will continue to maintain the following standards for our staff and guests:

– Adhering to all state or local government restrictions
– Reducing “contact points” between our staff and guests in shows, games, activities and entry/exit
– Taking time to disinfect contact areas multiple times daily, as well as objects used in shows, games and activities
– Highly recommending the use of face masks for our guests and staff
– Limiting our show audiences to fall within state and local government restrictions and policy
– Closing the Kansas Climb for the 2020 season as we continue to implement our new climbing experience
– Staff will wash their hands after each show, game and activity
– Creating a preferred path throughout the Field Station to encourage social distancing
– Making changes to the Front Gate entry, allowing for smaller crowds upon entry
– Identifying and creating a clear Entry and Exit path that encourages less contact between visitors
– Expanding activities into the entire Family Camp, rather than in an enclosed space
– Staff will wear masks in all instances where social distancing can not be maintained or it interferes with our ability to perform our live show
– Any staff which is experiencing illness will not be allowed to work their shifts and will be asked to get tested at the free testing centers provided by Sedgwick County Health Department.

In response to the newest EO, Field Station: Dinosaurs will strongly encourage our guests to follow any recommendations put forth by the Office of the Governor. As an outdoor entertainment venue with a combined 14-acres of space, we are in a unique position to provide a fun and safe environment for families. While we will not ask for families to wear masks during their trip, we do ask that families use masks in situations where maintaining a responsible social distance is not possible. However, our facility is set up in many ways to encourage a safe distance between groups. Our staff will follow these guidelines set forth by the EO and wear masks in all instances where social distancing can not be maintained, while continuing to follow the standards set forth up above.

Field Station: Dinosaurs aims to continue to provide quality entertainment in a safe environment and will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in order to make decisions based on events, the CDC and future decisions by local government and health departments.

May 4, 2020 - Changes to Field Station: Dinosaurs During COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 has had a major impact on the world. Even though we are ready to open, we must remain diligent as ever to ensure that expeditions can continue all year. So, when you visit this season you may notice some changes to the ways we’ve done things at the Field Station, but know that we’re working hard to always bring you valuable and interesting ways of exploring the science and mysteries of a prehistoric world!

Some ways we are keeping you safe include:

– Adhering to all state or local government restrictions
– Reducing “contact points” between our staff and guests in shows, games, activities and entry/exit
– Taking time to disinfect contact areas multiple times daily
– Highly recommending the use of face masks for our guests and staff
– Limiting our show audiences to fall within state and local government restrictions and policy
– Closing the Kansas Climb for the 2020 season as we continue to implement our new climbing experience
– Staff will wash their hands after each show, game and activity
– Creating a preferred path throughout the Field Station to encourage social distancing
– Making changes to the Front Gate entry, allowing for smaller crowds upon entry
– Identifying and creating a clear Entry and Exit path that encourages less contact between visitors
– Expanding activities into the entire Family Camp, rather than in an enclosed space

Field Station: Dinosaurs aims to continue to provide quality entertainment in a safe environment and will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in order to make decisions based on events, the CDC and future decisions by local government and health departments.

March 16, 2020 - Field Station: Dinosaurs Closes Until Further Notice Due To Concern Over COVID-19

March 16, 2020, Derby, Kan. – As the nation deals with the current spread of COVID-19, we want to assure everyone that the health and safety of our guests is of the utmost importance. In response to the announcement by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) about public events with more than 50 people being cancelled or postponed, we have made the unfortunate decision to close until further notice to the general public, including group bookings.

Currently, Field Station: Dinosaurs plans to reopen on May 23rd for our summer season. We strongly urge you to follow sensible actions when attending any public event. If you feel sick or are displaying any symptom of a cold or flu, we strongly encourage you to stay home.

Field Station: Dinosaurs aims to continue to provide quality entertainment in a safe environment. We continue to monitor events unfolding in the region and will make decisions based on those events, the CDC and future decisions by area health departments. If you have purchased tickets for our Spring Break Sneak Peek week already, Field Station: Dinosaurs will honor those tickets at a later date.