Overview
In a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19, Melbourne's major art and cultural institutions have temporarily closed their doors. In a statement made on Sunday, March 15, Museums Victoria said Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks, Immigration Museum, Royal Exhibition Building and IMAX would all be closed to the public as of Monday, March 16.
"We are taking these steps as a public health precaution in support of measures to contain COVID-19, especially for those in our community who are most vulnerable," Museums Victoria Director & CEO Lynley Crosswell said in the statement. "We are committed to providing support for all of our employees and volunteers and to protecting our community during these unprecedented and challenging times."
While a reopening date for these institutions has not been announced, Museums Victoria said it will continue to update the public on its website and social media channels.
Yesterday, Arts Centre Melbourne, the NGV, State Library of Victoria, Geelong Arts Centre and Melbourne Recital Centre also announced they would be temporarily closing. The NGV and Arts Centre both intend to reopen on Monday, April 13, and are offering refunds for those who have pre-purchased tickets to shows and performances. Reopening dates for the Library and Recital Centre have not yet been announced.
The COVID-19 situation in Australia is changing every day, with the federal government first implementing a ban on non-essential events with more than 500 people and then mandating that everyone arriving from overseas self-isolate for 14 days.
The State Library of Victoria, Melbourne Recital Centre, Geelong Arts Centre, Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks, Immigration Museum, Royal Exhibition Building and IMAX are all now closed until further notice. The NGV and Arts Centre Melbourne intend to reopen on April 13.
To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.