Coronavirus guidance for museums galleries and heritage attractions

The Scottish Government has published guidance for museums, galleries and heritage attractions in Scotland.

The guidance has been updated to reflect Coronavirus: Scotland’s Strategic Framework. This framework sets out the approach to outbreak management based on the local protection levels, providing graduated protections locally and/or nationally.

This means that museum, gallery and heritage attractions may be able to re-open in areas with lower infection rates, while others may be required to remain closed to help suppress the virus in areas with much higher rates.

The guidance incorporates the Scottish Government guidelines on physical distancing and other workplace safety considerations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as well as advice specifically for museum, gallery or heritage settings, such as how to implement safety measures while continuing to care for collections and historic properties.

Topics include:

• Performing ongoing risk assessments
• Workforce planning and support
• Operational guide and checklist (including hygiene, cleaning, and alterations to the workplace and visitor experience)
• Managing deliveries, distribution and site visitors safely
• Staff training and compliance
• Fulfilling a public purpose and managing visitor expectations
• Re-opening within your local context

There are also links to other sources of relevant guidance for the sector.

Anyone can use this service.

This is a free service.

Anyone who works in museums, galleries or heritage attractions in Scotland.

Museums and gallery collections may include permanent or temporary exhibitions, and may or may not be housed in historic buildings. Heritage attractions include castles, historic houses, historic parks, gardens of landscapes, industrial heritage monuments and open-air sites, including mobile heritage.

This guidance will be reviewed every three weeks in line with the Government’s regular review of lockdown requirements.

As each workplace is different, individual organisations should work with trade union or workforce representatives to determine how best to apply this guidance in their circumstances. 

Visit the Scottish Government website for more information and to read the full guidance.