Italian museums, libraries, exhibitions to reopen May 18, 2020

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte confirmed on April 26, 2020, that museums, libraries, and exhibitions will reopen on May 18, 2020, as part of the country's Phase 2 lockdown easing. The decision, strongly supported by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities (Mibact) and advocated by PD deputy Rosa Maria Di Giorgi, marks a symbolic step after months of closure. Commercial businesses will also reopen on the same date. The reopening follows the earlier reopening of bookstores in mid-April, which sparked debate over whether books are essential goods. Museums face challenges including ensuring social distancing, sanitization, and staffing shortages among custodians, many of whom are elderly and may be required to stay home. Guidelines from ConfCultura exist but no official obligations have been issued. Libraries face additional hurdles in disinfecting thousands of books. The fate of private galleries remains unclear, as they may be treated as commercial businesses. The cultural sector hopes this phase will reshape public perception of culture's importance.