Marvel at the 'Tree of Life' once again!
Manila's National Museums are reopening on March 2
Art and history buffs, rejoice! After almost a year of closure, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) will be reopening their doors to the public starting tomorrow, March 2, 2021.
Visitors can once again marvel at the iconic Tree of Life at the National Museum of Natural History, see improvements done inside the National Museum of Fine Arts, and look at ancient artifacts up close at the National Museum of Anthropology—with new health and safety guidelines in place.
The NMP released the official guidelines for the gradual reopening of their three Central Museums within the National Museum Complex in Rizal Park in Manila early Monday (Mar. 1).
“Based on recent considerations with authorities regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure the health and safety of the visiting public as well as of the museum personnel, the visitor guidelines given below will be adopted immediately and come into effect starting March 2 , 2021,” said the NMP. “These guidelines shall be subject to amendment should circumstances regarding the pandemic, change, or otherwise as the need arise.”
Visiting hours for all Central Museum Buildings
Similar to their pre-pandemic museum schedule, the museums will be open from Tuesdays to Sundays, excluding religious holidays. There will be two visiting sessions or timeslots in the morning (from 9 a.m. to 12 noon) and afternoon (from 1 p.m to 4 p.m.) sessions.
A cut off-time for visitor arrival will be imposed at 11 a.m. for the morning session and 3 p.m. for the afternoon session.
Who can visit?
An age limit on visitors is still in effect. The only people allowed to enter the museums are people aged 15 to 65 years old, including persons with disabilities (PWDs). Visitors need to present an ID showing their date of birth to validate their entry.
The museum has set a cap of 100 visitors allowed inside each museum per session. Group reservations are limited to a maximum of five persons. Confirmed pre-booking and reservations are now a requirement to visit and walk-in visitors will not be allowed at this time.
What to do before visiting?
Visitors must now pre-book their visit online at reservation.nationalmuseum.gov.ph, at least a day prior to their planned visit. Visitors will receive a booking confirmation by email.
Staying safe in the museums
The National Museum has implemented the following safety guidelines to keep all visitors safe.
Before entering the museums, visitors must undergo a temperature check. A visitor with a temperature of 37.5 and higher will not be allowed inside. Guests will also have to accomplish a health declaration form as part of the reservation process. Those exhibiting fever and flu-like symptoms will not be allowed to enter.
Face masks and face shields must be worn at all times while inside the museum.
Visitors are allowed to bring their own sanitation kit, but they can expect to see hand sanitizers throughout the premises and handwashing facilities inside comfort rooms.
Guests are asked to observe social distancing of at least two meters between persons not belonging to the same household.
The elevator will be reserved for senior citizens and PWD use only.
Additionally, according to the NMP, the following are not permitted inside the museum buildings:
- Art materials (including ink pens) other than pencils
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Bags larger than 33 x 43 cm.
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Backpacks, baby backpack carriers, long umbrellas, and other bulky items
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Plants, flowers, or other organic materials
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Tripod and video cameras
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Wrapped packages including gifts
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Pets
Guided tours are currently not allowed at this time.
According to another official statement of the NMP, the Regional Museums of the National Museum Network shall likewise reopen very soon, "subject to consultations with concerned authorities."
The National Planetarium shall remain closed until further notice, awaiting authorization for cinemas and theaters to reopen in the National Capital Region.