The Metropolitan Museum of Art has reopened after nearly six months of closure with innovative initiatives including timed entrance ticketing and free bicycle valet service.
The Met had not closed for more than three days in more than 100 years. The museum carefully planned its reopening and has developed comprehensive safety procedures.
The attraction is open five days a week, but will operate at 25 percent capacity. Visitors must wear face masks and are asked to remain six feet apart.
“While much has changed at The Met and in the rest of our lives, we hope you will find comfort in some of the things that have not changed: our world-class collection and wide-ranging exhibitions.
Comprehensive safety procedures at The Met
The day is heeeeeeere! Friends, art-lovers, New Yorkers—welcome back. The Met reopens today at 10 am. ❤️
Are you headed to The Met this weekend? Tag us in your photos and tell us about your Museum visit!
📸: @taylorehill pic.twitter.com/bPsLkU8iaI— The Metropolitan Museum of Art (@metmuseum) August 29, 2020
“We invite you back to the museum to explore our two million square feet, where there is always something new to uncover,” said president and CEO Dan Weiss and director Max Hollein.
In accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, admission to The Met is by timed entry, which will also be in effect at The Met Cloisters when it opens on September 12.
In addition, free bicycle valet service, provided by Transportation Alternatives (TA), will be offered to visitors through September 27.
The Met Cloisters opens on September 12
We're back—The Met is officially reopen to the public! 🏛️✨
Before you head to the Museum, take a look at our new visitor safety guidelines ⤵ https://t.co/HyiaRvZVay
— The Metropolitan Museum of Art (@metmuseum) August 29, 2020
Visitors arriving by bicycle who want to park will be met by TA staff at a dedicated tent on The Met’s plaza, and the first 500 visitors to use the service receive a Met-branded bike reflector.
Kenneth Weine, vice president for external affairs, said: “This is one more way to make the museum accessible to visitors, as we know New Yorkers are eager to visit, and that many more are biking.
“The bike valet will help make a visit to The Met that much easier.”
Bike valet provided by Transportation Alternatives
Planning an upcoming visit to The Met? Take a moment to review our updated Visitor Safety Guidelines before your trip. ⤵https://t.co/7qAX9iDbBz
— The Metropolitan Museum of Art (@metmuseum) August 30, 2020
New York was permitted to reopen museums and cultural institutions from August 24 following months of closures, as confirmed by Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo.
