The Tate has just released a press statement informing that it will be closing up shop until May due to COVID19 virus. The British Museum, National Gallery, Royal Academy, V&A, Serpentine Galleries, Whitechapel, Barbican and Hayward Galleries have made similar announcements. The National Portrait Gallery, London will now temporarily close from Wednesday 18 March 2020. All UK Museums including The Science and Natural History museums are to Close.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation and act on the advice of the UK Government and Public Health England. In the meantime, we look forward to staying connected to our audiences online and hope to be able to welcome visitors back to the Gallery again soon – Tate
To all our supporters:
For over 120 years we have been welcoming people to our galleries to enjoy great art from around the world. However, the welfare of our visitors and staff must always come first. That’s why we are closing Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives from this evening, Tuesday 17 March until 1 May 2020. We will be reviewing this and keep you updated. We believe that access to art for everyone is a universal human right. Now more than ever, art can lift our spirits, brighten our days and support our mental health. So whilst our galleries are shut, we’ll be sharing some ideas for how you can still enjoy the best of Tate online.
If you have a ticket for an upcoming event or exhibition, we’ll be in touch as soon as possible. Thank you for your support – we don’t know yet when galleries will reopen, but we look forward to welcoming you back when they do. Until then, stay safe and take care.
The decision came after the UK government announced guidelines for public places including pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas. Many found the statements confusing. Prime minister Boris Johnson shifted the onus onto the public saying Anyone with a fever or persistent cough should stay at home for seven days if they live alone or 14 days if they live with others. Anyone who lives with someone displaying coronavirus symptoms should also stay at home for 14 days. People who have to isolate themselves should ask others for help. Everyone should stop non-essential contact with others. This is particularly important for people over 70, those with underlying health conditions and pregnant women. People should work from home where they can. People should avoid places like pubs, clubs, theatres and restaurants. This applies especially to those in London which is “a few weeks ahead” of the rest of the UK. People should stop all unnecessary travel. By the weekend, those with the most serious health conditions should be largely shielded from social contact for 12 weeks.
Tate’s decision could prompt other national museums to follow. Late last week a Tate Modern staff member tested positive for the virus.
The Southbank has just announced a total shutdown.
Following the latest advice from the Government, it is with much regret that Southbank Centre has taken the decision to close all of its venues with immediate effect.
The health and wellbeing of our staff, artists and visitors is our top priority and given the latest medical and scientific recommendations that people should avoid large social gatherings, we have made the very difficult decision to take this action in order to play our part in stopping the spread of the virus.
The impact of this decision on those talented people who come from around the world to perform on our stages, as well as our hard-working staff who help to run our magnificent venues – and the many millions of people who come to enjoy what we present each year – is immense.
As a charity, we will be working hard to find ways to survive the financial implications that a period of closure will have on our organisation – including the freelance artists and partners we work with. We want to do everything we can to support the wider arts sector as we all deal with this unprecedented situation.
Details of how to request a credit note or a refund for any cancelled performances during our closure period can be found on our website.
We are very sorry that we have to close our doors. We believe that access to Art, Music and Creativity can be a tonic for us all and we will be trying hard to find ways of working with our artists to keep that idea alive even though our venues are closed.
Our thoughts are with everyone who is being affected by this situation and we pass on our very best wishes to all of you and your loved ones.
We look forward to welcoming you back. Soon, we hope.
The Serpentine has also closed for the foreseeable future, To protect the health and wellbeing of our visitors, staff, artists and volunteers we have taken the decision to close The Hepworth Wakefield from 4pm on Wednesday 18 March until further notice.
The Hepworth Wakefield Garden will remain open for people to enjoy.
Read More Full list of London Gallery Closures