Coronavirus in Scotland: Lockdown for V&A Dundee and national museums and galleries

The National Museum and Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh and Dundee’s new V&A are to go into coronavirus lockdown from tonight.

More than two million visitors flock to the National Museum of Scotland each year.

All attractions will be closing until further notice after 5pm tonight in the wake of the advice from the UK and Scottish Governments for the public to avoid crowded areas and gatherings, and “avoid unnecessary social contact.”

The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh has announced that it has closed temporarily, while several theatres announced they would be bringing productions to an immediate halt, including the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, the Tron Theatre in Glasgow and Dundee Rep.

More than two million visitors flocked last year to the National Museum, making it the most popular visitor attraction in the country, while the Scottish National Gallery attracted 1.7 million visitors.

More than a million visitors have flocked to V&A Dundee since it opened its doors in September 2018. Picture: Hufton & Crow.

More than a million visitors have been to Dundee’s new museum, which was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, since it opened its doors in September 2018.

They are some of the first visitor attractions in Scotland to announce a complete closure since the UK and Scottish governments stepped up guidance to the public to avoid public gatherings.

A statement from National Museums Scotland, which also runs the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life in Lanarkshire and the National War Museum at Edinburgh Castle, would also be closed down until further notice.

The statement added: “he national collections within our care will continue to be monitored and made secure during this time.”

The National Galleries of Scotland said its four attractions in Edinburgh – Scottish National Gallery, Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Scottish National Gallery of Modern – would be closing “in order to help protect the health of our staff and visitors.”

The statement added: “We appreciate your support during this time and hope to see you in the not too distant future.”

An official statement from V&A Dundee said: “During these exceptional times, the health and safety of our visitors and staff is our number one priority.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and look forward to welcoming visitors back to V&A Dundee as soon as we are able.”

The closure of V&A Dundee was announced hours after the Dundee Rep said it would be closing its doors indefinitely.

An official statement from the theatre, which celebrated its 80th anniversary last year, said: “We take the health and safety of our audiences, staff, freelance colleagues and partners very seriously and as part of the temporary closure, we have suspended all our public activities as an organisation.

“At this stage, we do not know how long the closure and suspension of our activities will last. However, we anticipate that the rest of our published season will now not take place. We will continue to follow government advice as it is issued.”

Pitlochry Festival Theatre issued an urgent appeal for financial help to its supporters after deciding to shut down for the spring, warning it was already facing permanent closure.

A statement said: “The impact of COVID-19 is a critical threat to Pitlochry Festival Theatre and to the livelihoods of many in the region and in the arts.

“Most of our funding comes from you attending our productions and spending time here with us. Without you the vast majority of our income is gone and the organisation will not be able to stay open. Right now we need you.”

The Royal Lyceum today said it had cancelled or postponed all productions at the venue this month, including remaining performances of Mrs Puntilla and Her Man Matti, as well as singer-songwriter Karine Polwart’s production Wind Resistance, and Castle Lennox, a co-production with the theatre company Lung Ha.

Shows due to be staged over the next couple of months, including Barefoot in the Park and Life is a Dream, are remaining on sale in the hope they can either go ahead as planned or be rescheduled for a future date.

An official statement said: “We have been closely monitoring the situation regarding

coronavirus and adhering to all guidance issued.

“The latest advice of the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland is that events for over 500 people should not take place from this week and the UK government yesterday advised an end to non-essential contact with others, specifically including theatres in that advice.

“We continue to be grateful to our audiences for their patience and understanding at this time.”

A statement from the Royal Botanic Garden, which also announced the closure of its sites at Benmore, Logan and Dawyck, said: “The welfare of our staff, volunteers, students and visitors is at the forefront of our minds and we are taking all necessary precautions, following government directions and guidelines and monitoring updates on the COVID-19 outbreak.

“In line with our role as a world-leading centre of plant science and conservation, our priceless living collection of plants will be maintained as normal.”