Cultural facilities in Seoul to reopen on Sept. 28

The National Museum of Korea closes its doors on Sunday after a staff worker was diagnosed with the coronavirus on Saturday. [NEWS1]

State-run cultural facilities will reopen their doors on Sept. 28, more than a month after closing due to a spike in Covid-19 cases in the greater Seoul area, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Friday.

According to the culture ministry, 23 state-run museums and libraries as well as 11 performing arts facilities will reopen on Sept. 28, after "thorough disinfection measures" following guidelines laid out by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

Museums and libraries to reopen include the National Museum of Korea, National Library of Korea, National Folk Museum and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA). Performing arts facilities such as the National Theater of Korea, National Gugak Center and the Seoul Arts Center will also reopen on the same day.

However, the Gyeongju National Museum and the Jeju National Museum will remain closed at the discretion of the relevant local governments.

The facilities will only operate at 30 percent capacity to minimize any potential spread of the virus. Visitors will be asked to stay at least 2 meters (6 feet 7 inches) away from each other at museums and sit at least one seat away from each other at theaters.

Reservations can be made online on the facilities respective websites. Visitors should check opening hours before visiting as some venues will close for the upcoming Chuseok holiday.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]