New York’s Metropolitan Opera will keep its curtains closed until a New Year’s Eve opening gala.
The opera house made the decision to remain shuttered in an attempt to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
General manager Peter Gelb said in a video message: “Social distancing and grand opera simply don’t go together".
According to Reuters, the 2020-2021 season had been scheduled to open in September.
Four new opera productions will be postponed as a result of the temporary closing.