The REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) Project has published the results of the second round of laboratory testing for COVID-19 on five commonly handled materials:
- Braille paper pages
- Glossy paper pages
- Magazine pages
- Children’s board books
- Archival folders
Results show that after two days of quarantine in a stacked configuration, the SARS-CoV-2 virus was not detectable on the archival folders.
After four days of quarantine in their stacked configuration, the virus was not detectable on the braille pages, glossy book pages, and board book.
The magazine pages showed a trace amount of virus at four days. Day four was the final timepoint tested.
The REALM project is designed to generate scientific information to support the handling of core museum, library, and archival materials as these institutions begin to resume operations and reopen to the public.