UK Museums Face Financial Crisis Amid COVID-19, Visitor Numbers Drop to 20-25%

UK museums, which were already under financial pressure before the pandemic, are now in a state of crisis after enduring closures lasting 4-5 months. The government has stepped in with more than £1 billion in loans and grants to assist. Currently, visitor numbers across ten major venues, such as the National Gallery (which reopened on July 8) and the British Museum (August 27), are only at 20-25%. While many museums have reopened shops, they still have sections closed and require online reservations along with one-way paths. The National Gallery has extended its hours for the Titian exhibition, and the V&A's 'Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk' has sold out. Tate galleries are considering laying off 313 staff members, and the Royal Academy, which lost over £1 million each month during its closure, may also terminate 150 jobs. A debate is ongoing regarding Michelangelo's 'Taddei Tondo', valued at over £100 million, with some suggesting its sale to prevent job losses.