Worcester science museum EcoTarium announced Friday it will lose 24 staff positions when it closes for the fall and winter on Sept. 4, as it struggles with reduced revenue in the coronavirus pandemic.
The museum previously announced on July 24 it would close down for the fall and winter as its attendance had fallen 90% due to COVID-19 and the social distancing regulations put in place by Gov. Charlie Baker in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
After the September layoffs, 13 staff will remain at the EcoTarium to handle reduced operations and care for the animals at the museum. Some of the remaining employees will take pay cuts, although the EcoTarium’s announcement didn’t specify who or how much.
The 24 people who are losing their jobs will receive severance pay based on their length of time with the museum, the EcoTarium said.
“These changes, while difficult, put us in the strongest financial position as we plan for our reopening in 2021,” EcoTarium President & CEO Lucy Hale said in a written statement. “We look forward to remaining a strong, robust part of the Worcester community.”
