Museums are closed ...as theatres go dark
MUSEUMS, libraries, and leisure centres across the country began shutting yesterday amid government advice to stay away from mass gatherings.
Other major events, including the Royal Highland Show, were axed as a precaution after the UK and Scottish Governments urged people to reduce social contact.
The V&A Dundee and the National Museum of Scotland were among the venues to announce they were closing.
Another casualty was the annual Jim Clark Rally in the Borders.
In the Western Isles, sport and leisure facilities, libraries and museums will close ‘indefinitely’.
Stirling Council said its libraries, ticket offices, gig venues and community centres will close ‘until further notice’.
And City of Edinburgh Council said all events at its libraries have been cancelled, though the buildings remain open.
Glasgow Life, which operates the city’s leisure centres, museums and libraries, suspended all services, stating its venues will be closed until the end of April.
Aberdeen City and South Lanarkshire councils are keeping the situation under review.
V&A Dundee closed its doors last night. A spokesman said: ‘During these exceptional times, the health and safety of visitors and staff is our number one priority.’
Cinemas across the country also faced closure, with Vue, Cineworld and Odeon all announcing that they were shutting temporarily.
National Museums Scotland said its closures will include the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the
National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum at Edinburgh Castle.
Similarly, the 2020 Royal Highland Show, described by organisers as ‘Scotland’s largest outdoor event attracting up to 200,000 people each year’ has been axed.
The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland chairman Bill Gray said: ‘It is with deep regret and huge personal disappointment that I confirm the cancellation of the show.
‘Plans for the 180th show are at an advanced stage but given recent and ongoing developments, the directors and I have taken the only course of action open to us.’
In London, cinemas, galleries and theatres across the West End shut their doors.
Among the biggest names were the Tate galleries, the National Gallery and the Royal Albert Hall.
Major theatres, including the Old Vic, the National Theatre, the London Palladium and Shakespeare’s Globe also closed.
The British Museum, Victoria and Albert and the Natural History Museum also shut up shop.