London's Southbank Centre and Barbican close venues amid coronavirus pandemic

London's iconic Barbican Centre announced its closure earlier today (17 March). The statement reads, "The Barbican is temporarily closed until further notice due to new UK Government advice on Coronavirus/Covid-19. The safety of our staff and audiences is our most important consideration, so we’ve taken the decision to fully close the building during this period. We’re sorry to the artists and audiences affected and recognise the significant impact that this closure will have on all those we work with or that are due to attend our events."

We’re following the new Government advice on Coronavirus/Covid-19 and will be temporarily closing until further notice. We apologise to the audiences and artists affected.

Keep checking our website for further details https://t.co/yAi1fiFZQl

— Barbican Centre (@BarbicanCentre) March 17, 2020

Southbank Centre soon followed, announcing the closure of all its venues this afternoon, including the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Hayward Gallery and Purcell Room.

Their statement reads, "Following the latest advice from the Government, it is with much regret that Southbank Centre has taken the decision to close all of its venues with immediate effect. The health and wellbeing of our staff, artists and visitors is our top priority and given the latest medical and scientific recommendations that people should avoid large social gatherings, we have made the very difficult decision to take this action in order to play our part in stopping the spread of the virus."

Southbank Centre's statement adds, "The impact of this decision on those talented people who come from around the world to perform on our stages, as well as our hard-working staff who help to run our magnificent venues - and the many millions of people who come to enjoy what we present each year - is immense. As a charity, we will be working hard to find ways to survive the financial implications that a period of closure will have on our organisation - including the freelance artists and partners we work with. We want to do everything we can to support the wider arts sector as we all deal with this unprecedented situation."

Following the latest advice from the Government, it is with much regret that Southbank Centre has taken the decision to close all of its venues with immediate effect.

Read our full statement here: https://t.co/avKtzed2Mp

— Southbank Centre (@southbankcentre) March 17, 2020