The British Museum. (Photo: Xinhua)

London (People's Daily) - The British Museum will close temporarily from March 18 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, announced Director of British Museum, Hartwig Fischer.

“At present, we don't know when we'll be able to reopen, but we hope to be able to provide further updates soon,” said Fischer.

The museum remains accessible through digital channels during the closure. “We'll be updating and adding to digital content during the period we're closed to allow visitors to stay in touch with the Museum. We'll share our collections, research, and programs in new ways that will not require a trip to the Museum,” said Fischer.