'A big step for the arts sector': Museums and galleries can reopen from July 4 as lockdown eases

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Museum and gallery bosses are “excited” but cautious to welcome the public back, as new rules mean they will be allowed to open.

It was confirmed today in a statement by the Prime Minister that museums and galleries would be among institutions to be allowed to reopen from July 4, as the two metre social distancing rule is set to be reduced to one metre.

A joint statement from the museum directors of Tate, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, National Gallery, British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum said the announcement was "welcome". The statement said: "We will now work closely with government, trade unions and supporters to see how and when we can open our doors again in a financially sustainable manner, for the long term.

"The British public have faced a wretched few months of isolation, loss and anxiety in confronting the Covid-19 pandemic. 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."

Paddy Rodgers, director of Royal Museums Greenwich — which includes the Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and the Cutty Sark — said the sector “very much welcomed” the move. He said his sites would include measures to ensure staff could get to work safely and social distancing procedures in the attractions, including sanitation stations, protective screens and limited visitors. He added: “Today is a big step for our sector.”

Art Fund director Jenny Waldman said that while it is “great news” that museums will be able to start opening again, “for many this will take longer and the future of these vital beloved spaces remains uncertain”. She said that closures have hit museum finances hard: “Some may never reopen and for those who can, social distancing measures will drastically limit visitor numbers and associated income that make them economically viable.”

Waldman added: “At Art Fund we’re doing everything we can to support museums and galleries through grants, partnerships and additional fundraising – but it’s also clear that government support will be needed to help secure their future."

Ian Blatchford, director of the Science Museum, warned Londoners shouldn’t expect “a sudden rush of museum openings”.

“Most museums I know would love to be open, even though I would say in virtually all cases that is likely to increase their financial losses, not reduce them,” Blatchford told The Times. He also suggested the city’s major museums may need to adopt a “staggered” opening as not to “swamp London Underground.”

Whitechapel Gallery's Director and exhibition co-curator Iwona Blazwick said the space was "really excited" to re-open.

She said: "We have some wonderful pieces that have been like Sleeping Beauty behind closed doors for four months and now we cannot wait to re-open. We have been working very hard with various experts to ensure safety. We will have maximum occupancy and other familiar measures to ensure everyone is safe. We are very lucky as we have a lot of space.

“You can imagine how much money we have lost over the past four months so I am hoping everyone is ready to come and have a day out and revel in some art, buy a lovely book, or have a spot of lunch."

Blazwick said the gallery was set to partner up with the Barbican to set up walking tours between the two attractions past a number of pieces of city art so visitors could enjoy a whole cultural day out.

The news comes a week after London’s smaller commercial galleries began to welcome visitors again.

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