DUBAI: The Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) has announced that key cultural sites, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, will be closed for longer than expected as the worldwide coronavirus pandemic continues. Initially, it was announced that the Emirati capital’s cultural sites would close from March 14 until March 31, but the DCT this week announced that it is extending the closures for an indefinite amount of time. Other cultural centers to remain shuttered include Manarat Al-Saadiyat, Qasr Al-Hosn, the Culture Foundation, Al-Ain Palace Museum, Al-Ain Oasis, Al-Jahili Fort and Qasr Al-Muwaiji. “The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi has decided to extend the temporary closure of all cultural sites until further notice, in line with the precautionary measures being taken to ensure the health and safety of visitors,” the DCT posted on Instagram. On Twitter, Louvre Abu Dhabi wrote that the closure is “in line with the precautionary measures being taken to ensure the health and safety of visitors.” The museum said, “We continue to assess the situation and look forward to reopening and offering our stories of cultural connections to the world.” In a bid to curb the spread of the highly-infectious COVID-19, many museums and galleries have decided to turn digital. On March 18, Louvre Abu Dhabi stated on social media that while its museum galleries may be temporarily closed, they will continue to build on their online platforms, offering a look at their selection of art work online. Dubai-based institution Alserkal Avenue has also launched an online platform that allows audiences to browse through their contemporary art galleries with 360 views of each installation.