Manx National Heritage sites to shut

Many staff and visitors fall into 'vulnerable category'

The Manx Museum and House of Manannan are among a number of Manx National Heritage sites soon to close to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

Following advise from Public Health, Manx National Heritage made the decision after getting a better understanding of just how many of their staff and visitors fall into the vulnerable category.

Rushen Abbey will no longer open to the public at weekend's and all educational workshops for schools have been cancelled.

A full list of sites affected:

• Manx Museum and House of Manannan will close at 5pm on Friday to the general public and for the foreseeable future.

• Seasonal site openings postponed: Castle Rushen, Rushen Abbey, Old House of Keys, Old Grammar School, Nautical Museum, Grove Museum, Laxey Wheel, Cregneash, Peel Castle / openings from 1st April 2020 initially until 1 June 2020 – but situation will be reviewed on a regular basis based on the risk to public health.

• Rushen Abbey will no longer open to the public at weekends in March.

• All public programmes have been postponed or cancelled until 1st June 2020.

• Talks are taking place with MNH commercial tenants about the impact the situation is having on their businesses.

• Work is undergoing with holiday accommodation and event providers to inform those impacted. Where possible bookings are being deferred at no cost to later in the year.

• Off-island travel operators who have booked with MNH are being contacted to inform them of the Government’s decisions.

• Educational workshops for schools have been cancelled where MNH cannot guarantee enhanced levels of hygiene.