- Title: Spain shuts Prado, other Madrid museums due to coronavirus
- Date: 11th March 2020
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (MARCH 11, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF THE PRADO MUSEUM ENTRANCE TO THE PRADO VARIOUS OF SECURITY GUARDS SEEN BEHIND METAL DOOR VARIOUS OF GUARD LOCKING METAL DOORS VARIOUS OF LOCK (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) TOURIST FROM THE UNITED STATES, PRISCILA CORDERO, MICROBIOLOGYST, SAYING: "We will be affected because several public places that we were planning to visit will be closed. That's how we will be affected as visitors." VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF THE REINA SOFIA MUSEUM MAN WEARING SURGICAL MASK STANDING OUTSIDE THE REINA SOFIA MUSEUM COUPLE (BOTH WEARING SURGICAL MASKS) SITTING OUTSIDE THE REINA SOFIA MUSEUM AND KISSING WOMAN WEARING SURGICAL MASK WALKING OUT FROM THE REINA SOFIA MUSEUM VARIOUS OF GUARDS CLOSING MUSEUM METAL DOORS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COLOMBIAN DOCTOR LIVING IN SPAIN, BIBIANA HERRERA, SAYING: "I think it is an adequate measure because it (the virus) is indeed multiplying and it is in massive closed places where the highest risks are. Too many people from different places, a lot of tourists and that is how it is jumping from one country to another. I think it is right. Mainly because, as a doctor, I believe more in preventive medicine than curative medicine." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MADRID RESIDENT, RAFAEL SAAVEDRA, DOCTOR, SAYING: "It is a way to contain the virus transmission. I think it is important to do it in a place where there is influx of people from other places where there could be a spread of the virus. It is unfortunate that they had to close it but it is a way to contain it. I agree. As a doctor I cannot be against it." VARIOUS OF CLOSED METAL DOOR VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF THE REINA SOFIA MUSEUM
- Embargoed: 25th March 2020 22:20
- Keywords: Closure Coronavirus Madrid Museums
- Location: MADRID, SPAIN
- City: MADRID, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA001C4M0UH3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: All of Madrid's state-run museums, including the Prado, the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, will be closed to the public due to the coronavirus epidemic that has hit the Spanish capital, authorities said on Wednesday (March 11).
"The measure takes effect from tomorrow, March 12, until further notice," Spain's Culture Ministry tweeted.
The Reina Sofia, home to Picasso's 'Guernica' and other famous modern art works, also tweeted about its closure.
Madrid has already closed schools for 15 days and banned large gatherings as it tries to grapple with a steep increase in coronavirus cases.
Health authorities said known cases in the capital region had risen to 1,024 from 782 on Tuesday (March 10) - about half of the nationwide total.
Spain is one of the highest levels in Europe behind Italy. Spanish authorities have reported 47 deaths, 31 of them in Madrid.
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