A popular London tourist attraction has made the 'unfortunate decision' to ban liquids following a series of attacks by activists.
From Friday at 10am, visitors to the National Gallery are being advised to bring "minimal items" and "no large bags". The gallery issued a statement on Thursday that said: "Unfortunately, we have now reached a point where we have been forced to act to protect our visitors, staff and collection," It added, "From 10am on Friday October 18 2024, no liquids can be brought into the National Gallery, except for baby formula, expressed milk and prescription medicines." READ MORE: We tried the McDonald's burger that's returned after a decade, I'm not sure what people expected The gallery cited paintings including Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers, John Constable’s The Hay Wain and Velazquez’s Rokeby Venus among those targeted in "five separate attacks on iconic paintings".
The statement continued, "Such attacks have caused physical damage to the artworks, distress to visitors and staff alike, and disruption to our mission to ensure great art is available for everyone, everywhere to enjoy. "Two of these attacks have happened in the last two weeks, and that is why we have taken the difficult and unfortunate decision to change the way we operate for the foreseeable future." The gallery urged visitors to bring minimal items with them including no large bags.
All doors into the Gallery have walk-through metal detectors where bags and rucksacks will be inspected. The gallery said it was "sorry" to make this decision, and believed entry into the museum will now take longer.
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