It was around the early days of the lockdown. I was deep into working on a report about the measures that our city's museums and art galleries were taking to ensure their exhibits and artworks remained in mint condition while they were shut for visitors. Most museum curators and owners of art galleries had created systems that enabled their staff to access the premises for maintenance of their displays. That was April. But the virus had other plans. And so, like the rest of the world, India, too, was unable to gauge its menacing reach, as it caused all kinds of destruction, from physical and mental to economical. By September, it was time for economies across the globe to take stock, and reopen sectors, in phases. India followed, albeit with a lot of trepidation owing to rising cases, thanks to having some of the most densely populated cities in the world.

The most recent decision in this regard was last weekend, with the reopening of places of worship. While most commercial establishments and public areas of engagement including restaurants, multiplexes, theatre venues and gyms had reopened earlier, museums continue to remain shut.