Auschwitz museum closed due to virus fears

The Auschwitz Memorial and Museum has been forced to close to visitors due to coronavirus.

The announcement was made following the Polish government’s decision to shut cultural sites and museum until 25 March, in a bid to stop the spread of the infection.

Auschwitz Memorial said on Facebook: “Due to the decision of the government to close all museums and cultural institutions in Poland, we inform that between 12-25 March the Auschwitz Memorial will not be available for visitors”.

According to the Daily Mail, Poland has 26 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and no recorded fatalities.

This comes after the March of the Living UK trip to Poland later this month was cancelled over virus fears.

Organisers said a primary concern was the health of participants, including survivors.

The Association of Jewish Ex-Service Men and Women (AJEX) also postponed a trip to the site of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp next month to mark 75 years since its liberation, due to concerns.

Earlier in March, Auschwitz museum told organisers of trips to the site to stop bringing visitors from countries affected by the coronavirus, earlier in March.

Israel’s education minister, Rafi Peretz also ordered the cancellation of all school trips to Shoah memorial sites located in Poland due to the global spread of the coronavirus. Tens of thousands of Israeli high school students visit Poland every year, often accompanied by Holocaust survivors.