Museum Leaders Criticize England's COVID-19 Reopening Plan That Prioritizes Retail Over Cultural Spaces

Museum and gallery leaders in England have criticized the government's COVID-19 reopening timetable that allows commercial galleries to open five weeks before public museums. Under the new plan unveiled this week, shops and non-essential retail including commercial art galleries may reopen no earlier than April 12, while public galleries and other indoor entertainment venues must wait until at least May 17. Museums Association director Sharon Heal argued there's no logical reason for museums to be classified alongside cinemas and theaters rather than libraries and community centers, which can reopen in mid-April. She noted that museums have more in common with public buildings in terms of implementing social distancing measures. Most English museums have been closed since December 2020. The government's classification system places commercial galleries in the 'non-essential retail' category while public galleries fall under 'indoor entertainment venues.' This distinction means public cultural spaces will remain shuttered while retail operations resume operations earlier. Heal emphasized that both museums and their audiences are losing out due to this classification decision.