The Vatican Museums and the Pope’s summer residence of Castel Gandolfo reopened their doors to the public this week.

The reopening coincided with Italy’s gradual easing of the nearly 3-month lockdown, which allows many businesses and activities to restart.

The Vatican Museums are ensuring a very careful balance between safety and health needs and the dynamics of a museum visit, without compromising the essence of such a visit, the Holy See Press Office said..

In keeping with the norms of hygiene and physical distance, visitors to the Museums will be subject to a body temperature check and will be allowed in only with a facemask.

A medical and health team from Italy’s Misericordie volunteer group and the Vatican’s Health and Hygiene Department will ensure every need during the opening hours.

Other important requirements for the reopening of the museums will be revised from time to time as the current emergency situation evolves.