COSI again delays reopening due to increased COVID-19 spread

In spite of plans to reopen this week for the first time since March, COSI will remain closed due to the worsening spread of COVID-19 in Franklin County.

The Center of Science and Industry announced on its website that the planned Nov. 20 reopening has been delayed, citing Franklin County’s Level 3 Public Emergency. A new opening date has not yet been set.

“After careful consideration of the current COVID-19 situation in Franklin County and beyond, COSI has made the difficult but appropriate decision to delay its planned reopening,” COSI president and CEO Frederic Bertley said in a statement. “COSI will continue to monitor the situation along with state and local health officials.”

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This is the second delay for the interactive science museum, which originally planned to reopen July 8. That date was also scrapped due to Franklin County entering Level 3 over the summer. COSI used the extra time to implement safety rules and a high-tech HVAC system that would sterilize the air using UV-C Photohydroionization. Unfortunately, Franklin County re-entered Level 3 just days after the announcement of COSI’s November reopening date.

The delay comes as COVID-19 spread worsens across the state, with Ohio recording a record 8,071 new cases last Friday, Nov. 13, and averaging 25 deaths each day for the last three weeks, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

In keeping with the canceled reopening, Bertley reassured members and guests that memberships would be automatically extended for time lost due to closures and any purchased tickets would be refunded in full. He added that COSI would continue to educate and entertain through its COSI Connects virtual learning initiative. You may contact COSI’s Call Center at [email protected] or 614.228.2674 with any questions.

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