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| DATE | 2020-08-14 |
| FROM | Ruben Safir
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| SUBJECT | Subject: [Hangout - NYLXS] Hooray
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wsj.com
New York City Museums Can Reopen in Late August
Akane Otani
4-5 minutes
New York City museums can reopen at limited capacity on Monday, Aug. 24,
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, bringing a measure of relief to cultural
institutions that have been forced to close for months over the new
coronavirus pandemic.
Museums were originally scheduled to open in mid-July, when the state
reached its fourth and final phase of reopening. But Mr. Cuomo postponed
their reopening, along with those of gyms, indoor dining and movie
theaters, citing concerns about the safety of indoor activities.
In the past few weeks, however, the state’s overall infection rate has
remained low, clocking in at below 1% on each of the past seven days,
Mr. Cuomo said at a press briefing.
That has given officials confidence that museums can safely resume
operations, with a number of changes.
“On the numbers—it’s been extraordinary,” Mr. Cuomo said.
“Congratulations to all New Yorkers.”
Since June, New York City has gradually reopened its economy while
easing lockdown restrictions that began in mid-March. As one of the
cultural capitals of the world, the city relies heavily on museums to
boost tourism, estimating they draw millions of visitors a year, many of
them from out of the state and the country.
“Can’t wait to welcome back our New York City museums on August 24! They
bring so much culture and vibrancy to our city,” Mayor Bill de Blasio
said on Twitter on Friday.
Museums will be required to cap occupancy at 25%, issue timed tickets
that allow for staggered entry, and require visitors to wear face masks
at all times, according to Mr. Cuomo.
The requirements will come as no surprise to cultural institutions, many
of which had already anticipated making such changes back when they
thought they might be able to reopen in July.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is scheduled to reopen Aug. 29,
will require face coverings for all visitors ages 2 and older. It will
ask visitors to stay at least 6 feet away from other groups, set
occupancy limits on restrooms and step up cleaning throughout its
building.
In many places around the world, holiday travel is permitted again. So
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WSJ’s George Downs takes a weekend trip to find out. Photo composite:
George Downs
The American Museum of Natural History, which is slated to reopen Sept.
2 for members and Sept. 9 for the general public, will have similar
requirements for visitors. It also has upgraded ventilation systems in
the building and added plexiglass barriers to ticket counters.
“Although the Museum has taken enhanced health and safety measures, it
cannot guarantee that you or members of your group will not be exposed
to COVID-19 while at the Museum,” the museum said in a statement online.
Other institutions plan to be open to visitors on only some days of the
week.
The Museum of Jewish Heritage—a Living Memorial to the Holocaust aims
to reopen Sept. 9. It plans to be open to visitors just three days a
week to give staff time to deep-clean the facility.
“First and foremost is the safety of our visitors and our employees,”
Jack Kliger, president and chief executive of the museum, said in a
statement released earlier in the week.
Write to Akane Otani at akane.otani-at-wsj.com
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