German Museums Reopen with Creative Social Distancing Measures

Germany, a federal state, began partial reopening of museums in late April, with Brandenburg and Thuringia among the first. However, individual museums retain the right to decide when to reopen. The BLMK (Brandenburgisches Landesmuseum für moderne Kunst) in Cottbus and Frankfurt reopened on May 1 under director Ulrike Kremeier, implementing strict hygiene rules: maximum visitor limits per exhibition space, one-way staircases, single-person elevator use, and disinfection of high-touch surfaces every two hours. The museum also launched ONEMETERFIFTY – DISTANCE/LESS, an educational program using colorful 1.5-meter markers to help visitors internalize social distancing. In contrast, Kunstverein Neuhausen near Stuttgart will not reopen before June 20, cancelling its 25th anniversary celebration and BEYOND THE FRAME exhibition opening planned for May 16. Director Susanne Jakob outlined measures: no opening event, individual visits from 3 PM to 8 PM, mandatory masks and 2-meter distance, maximum 8 visitors at a time, no catering or guided tours, and virtual tours on their website. In Berlin, state museums including the Pergamon, Alte Nationalgalerie, and Gemäldegalerie are set to reopen May 12 with online time-slot booking and continued digital guided tours. The Berlin Botanical Garden has already reopened with a capacity of 1,000 visitors. Germany's approach may influence Italy's reopening of cultural sites with parks and gardens.