Metropolitan Museum and Major Galleries Close Temporarily Due to COVID-19 Concerns

The Metropolitan Museum announced a temporary closure of all three New York locations starting March 13, 2020, with Met Fifth Avenue, Met Breuer, and Met Cloisters undergoing thorough cleaning procedures. Museum President and CEO Daniel H. Weiss emphasized protecting staff, volunteers, and visitors through proactive measures including travel advisories, enhanced cleaning, and coordination with health authorities. Major galleries implemented similar closures, with Hauser & Wirth shutting its New York and Los Angeles spaces following a statement from directors Manuela Wirth, Iwan Wirth, and Marc Payot. Pace Gallery closed its New York locations indefinitely and suspended all events across its venues. David Zwirner limited public access, keeping only its 20th Street gallery open by appointment while closing other New York locations. These institutional responses followed broader citywide efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus outbreak. The Metropolitan Museum planned to announce further steps early the following week.