PENANG has released a set of guidelines to reopen arts and cultural spaces, emphasising on social distancing and other public health requirements mandated by the federal and state governments.

The public health safety guidelines comprise key considerations to help arts and cultural organisations make decisions on operations and programming during the coronavirus pandemic, said tourism, arts, culture and heritage exco Yeoh Soon Hin in a statement today.

The guidelines included an outright ban on large group visitations. Additionally, areas where visitors and participants are likely to bunch up must be identified with measures put in place to disperse them, such as stationing staff to usher them along.

To reduce congestion of visitors and participants, pre- or post-event receptions, networking sessions, tea breaks are to be avoided, and food and beverage should not be served at public events, although bottled drinks may be served.

Exhibitors are also told to set up appropriate cordoning measures, such as barricades, especially for outdoor and open-air venues or events, to limit access of visitors and participants.

“So far Penang is the first state in Malaysia who has come out with these guidelines,” said Yeoh.

These guidelines are key considerations to help arts and culture organisations decide on operations and programming, he said.

“The arts and culture sector are among the most affected by the Covid-19 crisis, with many public events and activities cancelled or postponed due to the national movement-control order.”

The guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive or comprehensive in scope and not every consideration will apply to every organisation, he added. – May 25, 2020.