Tate galleries and UK theaters close doors due to COVID-19 outbreak

The United Kingdom's cultural institutions and theaters are shutting their doors or postponing shows following the government's advice urging people to avoid crowds and social venues as the country tackles the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The British Museum announced it will close temporarily from Wednesday. National History Museum said its sites at Kensington and Tring will be closed from Tuesday afternoon, and aim to reopen in early summer.

The Tate announced that from Wednesday until May 1, it will close all four of its galleries, two in London and one each in Liverpool and Cornwall.

"We will continue to share the joy of art on our feeds during this uncertain time and hope that wherever you are, you find moments of beauty in your day," said a statement issued on social media. "We look forward to welcoming you back to Tate when we reopen. Until then, let's look after each other."

London's National Gallery has postponed its exhibition of Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi, which was due to open on April 4, saying it is "sadly unavoidable" and that it was "very disappointed" about the delay.

In a statement, National Gallery Director Gabriele Finaldi said: "This was a tough decision for us to take. For logistical and organizational reasons connected with the novel coronavirus outbreak, we have had to postpone the show. This is unprecedented for the National Gallery, but in these difficult circumstances, it is the right decision."

The National Portrait Gallery in London will close temporarily from Wednesday, it has announced.

A statement from the gallery said: "In line with UK government guidance, the National Portrait Gallery, London will temporarily close from Wednesday March 18, 2020 until further notice, in order to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our visitors and staff.

"We will continue to closely monitor the situation and act on the advice of the UK government and Public Health England. In the meantime, we look forward to staying connected to our audiences online and hope to be able to welcome visitors back to the gallery again soon."

The Society of London Theatre, or Solt, and UK Theatre, announced on Monday that their member venues would be closing.

Solt and UK Theatre said the decision was not taken lightly as "there are over 290,000 individuals working in the theater industry across the UK, and the closure of theaters and public venues will have a devastating impact".

English National Opera is closing the doors at the London Coliseum following the government's advice against non-essential travel and socializing until further notice.

The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden said with "a heavy heart" the building will also be closed to the public and performances cancelled, with immediate effect.

"The safety and security of the Royal Opera House staff, audiences and artists is of paramount importance and we take this responsibility very seriously," a statement said. "In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken the decision with a heavy heart to close the building to the public and cancel all performances in Covent Garden with immediate effect."

Sadler's Well dance theater, the National Theatre, and fringe venue the Arcola Theatre are just some of the other London venues cancelling productions and performances until further notice.