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A statue in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art during a preview in advance of its reopening, New York City, U.S., August 27, 2020. /CFP
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, usually known as the Met, reopened to the public on Saturday, a sign that the New York City is resuming its normal life after nearly six months of closure.
Abiding by the rules of the New York state, the museum limits its visitors to 25 percent of the capacity, and the visitors need to use timed tickets, wear face masks and have their temperatures checked before entry. It has also prepared a parking lot for bicycles, as people may prefer avoiding public transport.
The Great Hall at the entrance of the Met during a preview, New York City, U.S., August 27, 2020. /CFP
The museum usually receives 30,000 to 40,000 people on Saturday during the normal days. However, upon its reopening, it can only expect 7,000 to 10,000 people per day, and this situation could last for months.
However, the reopening of the Met is a sign of life's returning to normal for many. People waiting on Saturday to enter the museum immersed in a festive atmosphere.
Checking temperature, August 27, 2020. /CFP
Tracy-Ann Samuel, who arrived from Connecticut with her two daughters, told AFP that it feels great to be surrounded by art again. "It means that there is some semblance of normalcy."
"I am a huge supporter of all the museums, and I'm so excited to be here," said Michelle Scully, who works and lives in New York City. "It's a really important moment for the city and everything kind of comes back to life."
Marie-lise Christiensen takes her daughters on a tour of the Arms and Armor section of the Met during a preview before the reopening, August 27, 2020. /CFP
The reopening is also a great news for the Met officials. According to Met PresidentDaniel Weiss, the museum has already projected a loss of 150 million U.S. dollars in an 18-month stretch. But he is not so worried about the museum, neither about the safety concerns nor the financial loss.
"We're all learning from each other all the time," said Weiss. "We're hearing what others' experiences are. And we know that doing this safely is actually not that hard." He is also confident about the Met's future.
"We are a strong and generally well-funded museum," he said, adding that he is more concerned about the fate of smaller and more vulnerable museums.
A security guard stands near the stairs leading to the second floor, August 27, 2020. /CFP
While some residents see a dark future for New York, saying the exodus of thousands of well-to-do residents or the abandonment by some in the business district are signs the city is "done," Weiss exudes nothing but confidence in New York's ability to bounce back.
From the attacks of September 11, 2001 to the financial crisis of 2008 and the destruction in 2012 of Superstorm Sandy, "It's been through many things," he said.
"I think everyone wants the tourists back. It adds to the vitality of the city," Weiss said. "So when that happens, we'll be ready for them."
(With inputs from AFP)
