Coronavirus Update: Metropolitan Museum Of Art, MoMa Closing
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The Metropolitan Museum Of Art and the Museum of Modern Art are closing their New York-based buildings to the public because of coronavirus concerns.
The Met's flagship museum on Fifth Avenue in the Upper East Side, the nearby Met Breuer on Madison Avenue as well as The Met Cloisters in Washington Heights shut their doors Thursday.
MoMa will close The Museum of Modern Art on 53rd Street, MoMA PS1 in Queens, and the MoMA Design Stores on 53rd Street and in Soho.
MORE: Broadway Goes Dark Under Coronavirus Ban On Public Gatherings
"While we don't have any confirmed cases connected to the Museum, we believe that we must do all that we can to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our community, which at this time calls for us to minimize gatherings while maintaining the cleanest environment possible," the Met museum posted on its website.
It was unclear when the Met museums would reopen. The MoMa museums are expected to reopen on March 30.
The Brooklyn Museum is also shutting its doors Friday.
"Due to increasing health concerns in connection with the novel coronavirus, and as a matter of care for our staff, visitors, community, and city, the Brooklyn Museum will be closing to the public starting Friday, March 13," said a statement on the website. "We are also postponing or cancelling all public programs until further notice."
If you have already purchased tickets for an event, check the museums' websites for refund information.
