Rome, Nov. 5, (dpa/GNA) – The Vatican Museums, which include the renowned Sistine Chapel, plan to close again from Thursday as part of measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
In a Wednesday statement, the Vatican said it was aligning with anti-pandemic decisions taken by the Italian government. Those were initially set to also come into force on Thursday, but Italy’s government later postponed them to Friday.
Closing orders, valid until December 3, also affect visits to the underground tomb of St Peter and the papal villas in Castel Gandolfo near Rome.
The Vatican Museums closed on March 8, in the early stages of the first wave of Italy’s coronavirus pandemic, and reopened to the public on June 1.
GNA