The directors of the UK’s largest museums have welcomed the news that galleries can reopen from 4 July.
In a public statement, the directors of the Tate, Science Museum Group, the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery and the British Museum have expressed their delight at the news, however, have noted they will proceed with caution.
They said: “The British public have faced a wretched few months of isolation, loss and anxiety in confronting the Covid-19 pandemic,” continuing that: “The reopening of museums – whose galleries speak to the creative, resilient power of the human spirit – will provide solace and inspiration as Britain looks to the future.”
It is believed that the National Gallery will be the first museum to reopen, with subsequent openings being staggered to alleviate pressure on the transport system in the capital.
Director of the Art Fund, Jenny Waldman, said that the future of museums remained uncertain, in spite of the prime minister’s announcement.
“The lockdown closures have hit museums’ finances incredibly hard – some may never reopen, and for those that can, social distancing measures will drastically limit visitor numbers and associated income that make them economically viable,” she noted.
Measures will be introduced to museums to ensure they are “Covid secure” these will include enforced social distancing and the of wearing masks in addition to adopting time slots while extending opening hours. One way systems will also be introduced inside galleries. It is as yet unclear how nervous visitors will be, which will help predict how financially viable reopening is at present.
