Why can't museums and galleries open till May 17th?

[Frequentflier]

I realise this is possibly a first world problem. Still, I am in London and pre-lockdown, museums and galleries were really saving my sanity. They were also the most socially distanced thing I did. I booked slots and at any time, I was way over 2 m from the next person, and every single person was masked properly. I just think it is odd that shops will be open on April 12th, but museums not till May 17.

That seems a bit unreasonable, esp as you can easily restrict numbers with booking time slots etc.
Here shops, museums and zoos opened on 1st March. And the UK is MILES ahead of Switzerland with the vaccination program.

I was thinking the same. And outdoor wildlife parks not until 12th April! Surely opening them would make all the rammed playgrounds less busy!

I have been wondering this!

I feel exactly the same OP, living in London and with small children to entertain I am really missing them and agree that the measures they had in place between the lockdowns made them so much less crowded than any shop - almost one in one out of the various rooms.

I agree with this. I visited Tate Britain, Tate Modern, the National Gallery and the British Museum last summer and they all managed social distancing extremely well. With almost no overseas visitors they will be quiet, so I don't understand why they can't open.

In Scotland zoos are currently open as venues for outdoor exercise.

Totally agree! The museums were lovely last summer, really well managed and felt very safe.

I'm in London too and desperately missing galleries etc, but considered they want to discourage people from using public transport as much as possible until transmission rates drop further?

I agree OP. I love shops as much as the next person but feel carefully managed, museums, galleries, zoos etc would be far less risky venues to spread the virus!

It’s nonsensical.

I would guess it's because most people would get to the London museums on public transport, and the government want to reduce that risk. I don't think bus drivers have been vaccinated yet, unless they have come up in another category, and they were dying in huge numbers.

I expect it is because they don't generate tax and are not part of a strong lobby group. Science does not really come into it.

Zoos will be in England 12th April.

It's the museums that aren't. Theme parks are open from 12th April - but their indoor attractions/rides have to stay closed until May 17th too.

I don't understand it either. If non essential shops can open, why can't museums?

@Weepingwillow22

I expect it is because they don't generate tax and are not part of a strong lobby group. Science does not really come into it.

Pubs raise tax and have a loud and vocal lobby group but have been pretty much closed for the best part of a year.

Why can you have a picnic with a friend at 2 metres, but not hit a tennis ball around with them from 10 metres?

The way most of the big London museums and galleries have treated their staff during the pandemic means I won't be touching them with a bargepole whenever they reopen.

That being said, I do agree with your logic OP- they seem safer than a lot of places.

What's even weirder is that commercial galleries can open on 12th April as they qualify as non-essential retail.

I see I am not alone. I do think that looking at beautiful art and artifacts is as good for mental health as a walk in the park, and can be made as safe with slots and careful measures. Oh well. I will just wait.

They probably don’t want crowds on the tube visiting London?

I’m missing them too.

Also, there are museums and galleries outside London which often don’t require the use of public transport to access.

I understand the need for gradual re-opening so why it is only non-essential shops and outdoor pubs from April 12th (probably).

I would have had museums with limitations from that date sooner than outdoor pubs myself. Having been in August to two museums, they were far more thorough with distancing than any pub or cafe, for example.

Culture has taken a back seat and noticeable that the relevant minister is not someone senior or involved in the decisions re removal of restrictions.