Beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the Albany Museum of Art will be closed to the public until further notice as local, state and federal officials work to minimize the adverse health impact of COVID-19.

“This response is in line with the growing trend among American Alliance of Museums-accredited museums across the nation, and with our cultural partners here in Southwest Georgia,” AMA Executive Director Andrew James Wulf, Ph.D., said. “Museums and cultural sites across the region have closed, from Columbus to Albany, and further afield.”

The closure will be for an indefinite period as officials work to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

“Given the fluidity and uncertainty of the current crisis, we cannot determine the duration of the closure at this time,” Wulf said. “As indicated by the CDC, this situation could get worse before it gets better. As such, we shall continue the monitor the situation daily to assess when a recommendation to reopen should be made.”

As a result of the decision, all programming and events through the end of April have been postponed or cancelled, including the annual Spring Family Day co-hosted by the city of Albany Recreation & Parks Department, Spring Break Staycation Art Camp, Teen Art Kickback, and art workshops.

As decisions are made for events scheduled in May or later, they will be posted on the AMA website and its social media accounts. They also will be posted at www.albanymuseum.com/coronavirus.

During this period, museum staff will report to the museum as needed.

Other safety recommendations from public health authorities include the following:

Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds using soap and water after visiting public spaces or sneezing/coughing;

If soap and water are unavailable, use hand sanitizer;

If you are sick, stay home;

Avoid contact with sick people;

Avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.);

Avoid handshakes and hugs (the CDC suggests maintain a distance of at least six feet from others);

Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze with a tissue, or use the inside of your elbow.

Health officials also recommend that individuals in high-risk categories avoid gatherings where they will be in close contact with others. Those high-risk groups include:

People over 60 years old;

People with underlying health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems;

People who are pregnant.

For additional information, please visit:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's web page,

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

The Georgia Department of Public Health’s web page, dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital’s coronavirus web page,  www.phoebehealth.com/patients-and-visitors/coronavirus/home