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Home of the Arts (HOTA) on Queensland’s Gold Coast and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart have both announced that they will be closing in response to the rapidly evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

In a statement HOTA advise “these are difficult times for the community and in an ever-changing environment HOTA will remain decisive and responsive. The health and wellbeing of our community, artists and staff is of paramount importance.

“The closure and cancellations will remain until at least the end of the month. A decision on any further closure will take into consideration any developments of the COVID-19 situation.

“Ticket holders for forthcoming events will be contacted to arrange a refund.”

MONA founder David Walsh has also announced his world renowned venue in Hobart will close as a precaution against the coronavirus pandemic.

Walsh issued a statement posing the question “What do you do when you’re trying to predict something that can’t be predicted?

“Panic may be a legitimate option, but as someone who holds a level of responsibility to the staff and the community, that option isn’t open to me.

“At this point, with some governments enforcing mass closures due to COVID-19, and the Australian Government seeking to limit contact between individuals, Mona faces a dilemma. Taken as a whole, is Mona being operational a net service to the community? Spoiler alert: the answer, as far as I’m concerned, is no.

“Preventing people interacting prevents many unlikely infections, but unlikely infections add up.

“Is there a consequence of closing Mona that I can’t foresee, but nevertheless does harm? I don’t know, but I’m closing Mona. I’m closing it, without certainty and with some loss of pride, but I’m closing it.”

This latest announcement follows Walsh’s decision to cancel this year’s Dark Mofo festival which was to be held in Launceston.

Image courtesy of MONA

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