Museums reopening information on visiting, how to book and FAQs

Work on a plan to reopen our museums safely began well in advance of the Government announcement of the 4 July as the earliest date by when museums could reopen. All our museums are based in historic buildings, the nature of which make safety planning more complex than for more modern/ purpose-built venues. Our reopening schedule has been guided by the safety of our staff and visitors which is our number one priority. Museums across the country are following different paths to reopening based on individual circumstances. Most museums did not reopen on 4 July, but are opening with limited offers at different times across the summer.

Each site has introduced a comprehensive set of measures to ensure the safety of visitors and staff. These include:

• Pre-booked tickets and reduced capacity at all three sites to ensure social distancing
• New entry arrangements
• Hand sanitiser stations and access to handwashing facilities
• Clear signage reminding visitors to follow social distancing and hygiene measures
• Recommended one-way routes through the museums which are clearly signposted
• Staff located at key points to help guide visitors and answer questions
• The closure of higher risk areas including cafes and shops, and areas where social distancing is more difficult
• Enhanced site cleaning

Our plans have been subject to full County Council Risk Assessment procedures and have been assessed and approved by the County Council’s Health & Safety team. They are fully compliant with Government regulations and also follow sector-specific reopening guidelines produced by the National Museums Directors’ Council in collaboration with the DCMS.

We have developed COVID-specific enhanced cleaning regimes for each site. Opening hours will be reduced to allow staff to carry out additional cleaning at the start and end of the day. Touchpoint cleaning will be carried out across the day.

We continue to make preparations for the reopening of our other museums and will do so as soon as it is safe and in accordance with Government guidelines.

Toilet facilities will be available at all three museums, including accessible toilets. To minimise risk, the museum cafes and shops will remain shut for the time being. The three sites will remain accessible to visitors with mobility impairments.

Yes. For the safety of staff and visitors we are required by the government to collect contact information for all our visitors to support the NHS Test and Trace scheme. Anyone in a group who hasn’t provided contact details through the online booking system will be asked to provide their name and phone number. These details will be stored securely and will be destroyed after 21 days to comply with data protection law.

At this stage we expect our schools offer to be delivered remotely during the Autumn term. Our award-winning learning teams are liaising with local teachers and developing new digital programmes.

A number of weddings will take place at the Norwich Castle before it opens to the public. They have already been arranged under the new government guidelines. Those arrangements are unaffected by this announcement.

Work to deliver our flagship National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project, Norwich Castle: Royal Palace Reborn, has continued throughout lockdown, with a large amount of preparatory work such as surveys and documentation being completed. While the commencement of building work has unavoidably been delayed by the pandemic, this preparation will help to minimise delays once construction begins.

All details about reopening and what people need to know before they visit will be available on our website: www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk and our social media channels will also carry up-to-date information.