HOTA and MONA close to prevent spread of Coronavirus

March 17, 2020

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

3rd February 2020 - Gold Coast’s Green Bridge connecting HOTA to Chevron Island opens

26th September 2019 - Construction advances on HOTA’s Gallery and Green Bridge

2nd May 2019 - Gold Coast’s HOTA arts precinct continues to break box office records

5th January 2020 - Underground tunnels at Hobart’s MONA challenges visitors

11th March 2020 - Coronavirus fears impacting music festivals around the world with Coachella postponed and Tasmania’s Dark Mofo cancelled

25th June 2019 - Hobart’s Dark Mofo attracts record breaking crowds

17th March 2020 - Coronavirus impact puts up to 50 million jobs at risk across global tourism

14th March 2020 - Sydney Theatre Company responds to advice on Coronavirus

13th March 2020 - Tourism Industry body welcomes Federal Government’s Coronavirus stimulus

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