The Met To Close All Locations In Effort To Combat COVID-19

NEW YORK, NY — The Metropolitan Museum of Art will close its three New York City locations starting Friday, March 13 to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, museum officials announced Thursday.

The Met's main location on Fifth Avenue, its Met Breuer location on Madison Avenue and its Met Cloisters location in Washington Heights will undergo "thorough" cleanings when the museum shuts down on Friday, officials said. The Met considers the closures temporary and expects to announce its next steps in the coming days.

"The Met's priority is to protect and support our staff, volunteers, and visitors, and we have been taking several proactive precautionary measures, including discouraging travel to affected areas, implementing rigorous cleaning routines, and staying in close communication with New York City health officials and the Centers for Disease Control," Daniel H. Weiss, President and CEO of the Museum, said in a statement.

Weiss added that there are currently no known cases of coronavirus connected to the Met museums. The decision to close the Met's three locations is being made in the interest of public health and limiting the spread of the deadly virus. Large meetings and gatherings have been discouraged by the CDC and other government officials.