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To: UK government

Keep heritage safe, extend the mask rules

Thank you for signing our petition and putting pressure on the government to keep those working in heritage safe. Last week, we won! The government extended the mask mandate to museums, galleries and libraries in England.

The government has re-introduced compulsory mask wearing for shops and public transport in England. But the new rules don’t extend to visitors to museums and galleries and other indoor spaces in the heritage sector.

Heritage workers deserve to work in Covid-secure workplaces like any other worker. We’re calling on the government to extend these rules to the sector.

Why is this important?

The heritage and wider cultural sector was hit very hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of jobs were lost as vital income streams dried up.

As museums, galleries and other spaces have been able to reopen to the public and tourism has begun to recover there have been some green shoots of recovery.

However this can only happen with both a safe workforce and visitors that feel confident about attending Covid-secure venues. This is being put at risk by the failure of the UK government to mandate the wearing of facemasks for visitors to indoor heritage venues in England.

Although masks will only be one part of a comprehensive strategy to address the risks posed by Covid the World Health Organisations recommends them as an important part of this comprehensive approach.

Updates

2021-12-16 15:32:12 +0000

Thanks everyone who signed our petition and put pressure on the government to keep those working in heritage safe. Last week, we won! The government extended the mask mandate to museums, galleries and libraries in England.

90% of our members in the heritage sector had told us they supported toughening up mask rules and that the voluntary rules weren't working.

We will continue campaigning to ensure appropriate safety measures remain in place to protect both staff and visitors to our heritage sites. We will also seek financial security for our members in the event that further restrictions come into force.

2021-12-16 15:31:02 +0000

Petition is successful with 225 signatures

2021-12-04 12:28:24 +0000

100 signatures reached

2021-12-03 16:37:31 +0000

50 signatures reached

2021-12-03 14:45:43 +0000

25 signatures reached

2021-12-03 14:09:52 +0000

10 signatures reached