Understanding the reopening roadmap

Sector organisations, including AIM, met with DCMS early on Wednesday to discuss the UK Government’s roadmap out England’s current lockdown.

Although AIM and sector organisations had long been pushing for earlier reopening for museums, the current plans are set to remain in place: indoor attractions including museums and galleries will be able to reopen in step 3, which will not be before 17 May. Outdoor attractions will be able to reopen in step 2, which will not be before 12 April. We understand that the public health challenge of balancing a careful and staggered re-opening of the economy whilst avoiding further lockdowns was key to the approach.

Despite the ongoing wait, the roadmap offers some hope and the potential to plan, according to AIM Director Emma Chaplin:

“We were disappointed that indoor museums were grouped in Step 3 of these plans, not least as it means further delay before members can welcome visitors and the loss of yet another vital trading period. Given the ongoing challenges the sector faces our priority now is advocating strongly for continuing support and investment, with the upcoming budget an immediate opportunity to demonstrate that support.

Like many we are keen to see our sector back on its feet and hope that the trade-off of a delay will be that we avoid the damaging cycle of reopening and closing; the dates the roadmap proposes offer a welcome opportunity to plan, too. We also understand that members will have their own particular circumstances to factor in when planning for reopening”

AIM anticipates that additional regulations relating to reopening will be released in March and will be updating reopening guidance resources as more information becomes available. Members requiring urgent support should contact us on info@aim-museums.co.uk

Roadmap on reopening in England here: http://ow.ly/N6Zn50DHnlf (museums mentioned p37).