The Vatican Museums and Gardens announced plans to reopen their doors starting May 3, allowing residents in the area to get a rare glimpse of the Sistine Chapel ceiling without the usual crowds, as Italian tourism continues to struggle due to the pandemic.
Currently, there are hardly any tourists in Rome due to the travel restrictions imposed in Italy. In pre-pandemic times, a visit to the Vatican Museums often meant long queues, overwhelming crowds, and guards urging everyone to move along.
In announcing the plans on March 8, museum organizers in the Vatican stated that, for public health reasons, tickets must still be booked in advance through the museum's official website. Additionally, a limited number of guests will be allowed entry.
The opening date is conditional and will ultimately depend on the COVID-19 infection rates at that time. Although the infection curve in Italy has slightly declined, the overall numbers remain higher than in other parts of Europe.
It is noteworthy that the Vatican Museums are among the most popular tourist destinations in Rome. They had previously closed again after a temporary opening during the third wave in March. Visitor numbers had steadily risen in recent years to 6.7 million in 2019, and ticket sales are an important source of revenue for the Vatican City.
