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COVID-19: Updates

Last updated 13 November 2020

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms you should stay at home, self-isolate and get tested.

If you live in or have visited any of the NSW local government areas (LGAs) or suburbs listed on the NSW Government website in the past two weeks, get tested even if you have mild COVID-19 symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat.

If you have been to Victoria recently get tested even if you have mild COVID-19 symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat.


Several measures have been introduced to ensure the safety of our visitors as well as complying with the latest NSW Public Health Orders.

To help you make the most of your visit, we have put together some FAQs for our COVID-19 recovery phase.

We look forward to sharing the latest exhibitions with you.

View our general visiting information

Frequently Asked Questions:

Frequently asked questions

Yes - the Gallery is open 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.

Visitors will be asked to check-in via QR code upon arrival.

This follows the NSW Premier’s call for cultural institutions to re-open from 1 June amid easing COVID-19 restrictions.

Visitors will be asked to check in via QR code upon arrival. 

The Gallery team has considered the NSW Public Health Order requirements and determined a maximum capacity of up to 150 visitors at one time in the building.

This capacity is well under the required limit and ensures the 4 square metres of space per person can be achieved. The limited capacity also allows our visitors to comfortably move about the space, while maintaining 1.5m physical distance from other members of the public. 

Art Gallery shop transactions will be cash free (card sales only).

The Gallery is open 10am - 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday. 

Find out more about the visiting information

No bookings are needed to visit the Gallery. Visitors will be asked to check in via QR code upon arrival. 

However bookings will be required for events and programs. To see a full list of our events and programs, visit our What's On page. 

The Gallery team have developed a COVID-19 safe plan in conjunction with the City of Newcastle Emergency Response Team. The Gallery team will monitor the movements, attendance numbers, compliance and comfort levels of the public over the initial opening weeks and make adjustments as needed.

The COVID-19 safe plan includes:

  • Check in via QR code to ensure capacity is not exceeded and contact details are collected for tracing purposes.
  • Entry and Exit points will be clearly marked, with markers on the floor to guide patrons through the Gallery at comfortable distances from other members of the public.
  • Hand sanitiser stations will be in place at the point of entry and staff will commence increased cleaning regimes with a focus on high-touch surfaces, such as handrails and door handles.
  • The Gallery will be cleaned twice daily - in the morning and in the middle of the day. 
  • Art Gallery shop transactions will be cash free (card sales only).

When attending the Gallery we ask all visitors to help to keep our communities safe from viruses:

  • Keep a distance of 1.5m between you and other people
  • Clean your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser
  • Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
  • Avoid close contact with anyone with cold and flu-like symptoms
  • Stay at home if you are sick

All the Gallery spaces are open to the public.

Yes! Art Cart and Guided Tours will return from Saturday 14 November. Places are limited and booking are required. Find out more about our events and programs on our What's On page.