Museums, art galleries to reopen soon: culture secy.

LAHORE -- The Punjab government plans to reopen all government and private museums and art galleries in the next few days across the province, Information and Culture Secretary Raja Jahangir told Dawn on Wednesday.

Mr Jahangir said that this decision had been taken keeping in view the educational and entertainment value of museums and art galleries.

However, all standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Covid-19 will be strictly followed and groups and individuals allowed to enter such premises only after taking proper measures such as wearing masks and use of sanitisers.

When asked about the reopening of theatres and cinemas, the secretary said there were 78 private theatres all over Punjab as well as divisional arts councils. 'We know that there are hundreds of artistes, musicians, costume and set designers whose bread and butter is attached with theatre, but we have to take a decision very carefully.'

No decision yet on reopening cinemas, theatres

The opening of theatres, he said, had been discussed before Eid in the Law and Order Subcommittee of the Cabinet and the Chief Minister's Corona Committee, however the unanimous response of those meetings was: 'Theatre can wait'.

Nonetheless, the secretary was optimistic about resumption of theatre activity at open air theatres with a certain distance between seats, but he said the weather had become harsh, so the possibility of such a theatre was only possible in the evenings.

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