A cathedral to nature, forced into an unseasonal hibernation¹.

 

一座将大自然汇集一处的大教堂被迫进入了非季节性的休眠。

 

The pandemic closed the Natural History Museum for its longest period since World War Two. And like businesses everywhere as they reopen, fewer people will be coming to visit.

 

It'll be about 15 percent of what we would normally² expect at this time of the year. So that's why it's important to book your ticket online and then we can carefully limit numbers - make sure everyone is really safe. And the great thing about our spaces, as you can see, is they're big, open, airy spaces. So we have a few galleries [which are] one way, but in the other spaces you will be free to roam³.

 

Exploring is the aim when you visit. Yet washing your hands, sanitising and staying apart are the drill, like everywhere.

 

The museum has the most extensive⁴ natural history collection in the world - 80 million items.

 

A government support package to protect the future of theatres, galleries and museums around the UK was announced last month, worth one point five billion pounds to the sector⁵.

 

But there is nervousness about what the constantly changing health situation could mean.

 

We know that there's a possibility that something may come along that means we might have to close again. But at the moment, we're making the most of the opportunity to open up the museum. The public can have a great time.

 

At a hundred and fifty million years old, Sophie the Stegosaurus has endured⁶ it all. But will enough of us come to visit to see her through the next few?

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