Louvre Abu Dhabi announces free access for select groups can see the museum for free

With the Louvre Abu Dhabi now reopened to the public, the museum has announced that taxi drivers, children and the elderly can enter the museum for free until the end of the year.

Taxi drivers also get three additional tickets for family members of friends that can also enter the museum free of charge.

Reopened in June after a 100-day closure under Coronavirus restrictions, the art gallery allows access to a limited number of visitors each hour to ensure safe social distancing with all visitors required to wear a face mask, gloves and undergo thermal testing upon entry.

Entrance is by timed ticket and visits last a maximum of three hours.

Acknowledging that restrictions would limit visitor numbers, Museum Director Manuel Rabate told AFP "of course, it has been a challenging time

"Our purpose is really to make sure that all the visitors have the best experience on the safest experience", adding that in difficult times, art could help people find "solace and appeasement".

The Louvre Abu Dhabi opened in late 2017 and attracted some two million visitors in its first two years of operation.

Under a 30-year agreement, France provides expertise, lends works of art and organises exhibitions - in return for a US$1.16 billion fee.

Image of Louvre Abu Dhabi courtesy of Mohamed Somji.