The Natural History Museum (NHM) in London has made the “difficult decision” to close for a week due to Covid-related “staff shortages”, with plans to reopen on December 28.
However, the Natural History Museum‘s ice rink will remain open as scheduled as it is “managed and staffed by external contractors who are currently able to continue the operation”.
In a statement, the museum said: “We have made the difficult decision to close our South Kensington site from Tuesday 21 December due to front of house staff shortages which have been impacted by Covid-19 infections and isolation requirements.”
“We will remain closed to the public until reopening on Tuesday 28 December, when we hope that staffing levels will have recovered,” the statement added. “This is not a decision we have taken lightly but the safety of staff and visitors must always come first.”
NHM reopens on December 28
Refunds will be issued for tickets to Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature and Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Ticket holders will receive an email from the museum with further information.
“Thank you for your ongoing support, patience and understanding at this challenging time,” NHM said. “We look forward to welcoming you back in due course.”
London’s Wellcome Collection is also shut until further notice. The closure is “due to the increasing Covid-19 risk”, and the museum will “continue to monitor the situation and government advice”.
Shanghai Disneyland temporarily closed in late October, with more than 30,000 visitors locked inside the park and tested for Covid-19 by Chinese government officials.
Images: Natural History Museum
