Louvre and Musée Delacroix close due to coronavirus pandemic

The Louvre and Musée National Eugène-Delacroix in Paris closed on March 13, 2020 at 6 PM until further notice, following French government directives. The closure comes as France reports nearly 3,000 COVID-19 cases. The Louvre had previously closed temporarily from March 1 to 4 after staff demanded urgent measures. Exhibitions of Albrecht Altdorfer and 'Da Donatello a Michelangelo – Sculture italiane del Rinascimento' (scheduled for May 6, in collaboration with Castello Sforzesco in Milan) are postponed. Other French institutions closing include the Philharmonie de Paris (cancelling its 2020/21 season presentation), Centre Pompidou, Eiffel Tower, and Palace of Versailles. Culture Minister Franck Riester, who tested positive for coronavirus, advised museums under his ministry to halt or limit activities. Public gatherings are banned with a 100-person limit. Saint-Étienne also closes all public spaces, including its Musée d'art moderne directed by Lorand Hegyi. A full lockdown may begin March 16. Globally, the Prado, Thyssen, Reina Sofía, and other Madrid museums closed; the Metropolitan Museum of Art closed all three NYC locations on March 13; TEFAF Maastricht closed early; Art Basel Hong Kong 2020 was cancelled; MIA Photo Fair and Salone del Mobile in Milan were postponed; Miart moved to September.