As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc globally, museums have not been spared, the UN cultural agency said, revealing that nearly 90% of the treasured cultural institutions have had to close their doors, while almost 13% are under serious threat of never reopening.
In assessing the impact of the coronavirus on museums, two studies conducted by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Council of Museums (ICOM), confirmed that more than 85,000 institutions have shut.
"Museums play a fundamental role in the resilience of societies. We must help them cope with this crisis and keep them in touch with their audiences," UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay explained.
"This pandemic also reminds us that half of humanity does not have access to digital technologies," the UNESCO chief observed. "We must work to promote access to culture for everyone, especially the most vulnerable and isolated."
UNESCO also pointed out that since 2012, the number of museums globally has increased by almost 60 per cent, demonstrating how important they have become in national cultural policies over the past decade.
