MILWAUKEE — The War Memorial Center located in downtown Milwaukee opened its doors Monday after being closed for months due to COVID-19.
The outside plaza area has remained open so people can honor and remember their loved ones, but the inside building has been closed since March.
CEO and President of the War Memorial Center, Daniel Buttery, said they have implemented extra precautions to ensure public safety. At the entrance, a sign asks people to perform a self-assessment. If a person has any COVID-19 symptoms, they are asked not to enter. Buttery said they have also increased their cleaning.
"Throughout the building, we have done a high sanitization. We have cleaned with an antimicrobial product which does not allow the virus to adhere to surfaces," said Buttery.
At their north entrance, a new body scanner has been added for employees, contractors, and guests.
"All you do is put your wrist underneath and it takes the temperature," said Buttery.
Events have already been held at the War Memorial Center, but with extra spacing in conference rooms. In the elevators, only three people are allowed in at a time, and a tissue box has been placed inside for people to use and press the required floor button.
Buttery said safety is their top priority and it's important for their doors to stay open, so people can continue to honor the fallen and they can continue to serve veterans in need.
Events and activities scheduled to occur at the War Memorial Center will now be subject to new protocols which are following CDC guidelines: reduced numbers of attendees to accommodate safe social distancing, sanitized rooms and surfaces, the addition of touchless hand sanitizer units, along with the new use of an FDC approved antimicrobial treatment on high touch surfaces.
The Saarinen building will be open Monday - Friday during normal business hours of 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. The exterior area of Fitch Plaza will remain open during normal business hours Monday - Sunday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
The War Memorial Center is commemorating 75 years since the end of World War II with several events in August and September.
- On the Homefront Exhibit: Opens August 1 in Freedom Gallery
- Field of Flags: 2,972 American flags (one of each Milwaukee citizen killed during WWII) will be displayed August 29 - September 3
- Traveling WWII Memorial: Replica of the National WWII Memorial open to the public Sept. 1-3
- Victory Street Celebration: Social distanced event on Sept. 2 on 75th anniversary of VJ Day.