The Vatican Museums will resume business after nearly three months of being closed to the public during the pandemic. The reopening, set for June 1, will be accompanied by strict security measures.
ANDREA ARCANGELI
Vatican Directorate of Health and Hygiene
“Those entering the museum will have their temperatures taken with the thermal scanner. They will have to wear face masks, and they'll have to disinfect their hands with sanitizer.”
DIEGO ORTUSO
Head Inspector, Vatican Museums
“All Vatican Museum staff members in contact with the public will have to wear gloves and masks. One team will be in charge of ensuring safety distances are respected.”
To avoid crowding, reservations must be made online. The hours will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, the museums will be open until 10 p.m., to allow visitors to enjoy the evening hours from the museum's key vantage points. The museum director has even more good news to offer.
BARBARA JATTA
Director, Vatican Museums
“The reopening will bring many new features, like this restored work behind me. It's the Room of Constantine, the fourth grand room of Raphael's rooms in the Vatican.”
The year 2020 marks 500 years since the death of the artist Raphael, whose mark is forever in the Vatican and the Eternal City. That's why over the last few months, the museums have geared their efforts toward giving the public access to his works in the best way possible.
If the pandemic doesn't worsen in Italy, the government has promised to re-begin flying within the EU on June 3. The goal is to gradually return to a certain state of normality.
Javier Romero
Translation: Claudia Torres
