National Railway Museum is the latest attraction to close – along with four other museums

The Science Museum Group this evening said it was closing all its attractions – including the National Railway Museum in York – with immediate effect.

If follows talks with the government.

It means all five of its museums are closed:

• the Science Museum in London
• the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester
• the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford
• and Locomotion in Shildon, County Durham.

“Our mission is to inspire futures. But right now we need to focus on today and on the health and welfare of our visitors and colleagues as the nation comes together to deal with the threat of coronavirus,” said chief executive of the Science Museum Group Sir Ian Blatchford.

“While our doors will be closed for a while, our collection – and the inspirational stories it contains – will remain open to you online.”

He added:

• Given the uncertainty we are all facing together, it is not possible to say when our museums will be able to reopen to visitors. But we look forward to welcoming back old friends and igniting the curiosity of many more people who haven’t yet had the chance to visit us.

  For the time being, please stay safe and keep in touch with us through our social media channels.