The Louvre, the most visited museum in the world, did not open on Sunday morning March 1 due to " discussions " with staff on the epidemic caused by the new coronavirus, the management of the Parisian establishment told AFP.
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" There is an information meeting between museum officials and management on the health situation and preventive measures related to the coronavirus, this delays the opening of the museum, " said a spokesperson for the establishment. " The discussions lasted all morning, " she said, noting that a point would be made later today.
The escalating epidemic prompted the government to announce new measures on Saturday to curb the spread of the virus. Among them, the cancellation of all gatherings of more than 5,000 people in confined spaces.
The Louvre received 9.6 million visitors over the whole of 2019. In mid-January, the Paris museum was blocked for a day by strikers opposed to the pension reform project.