Museums have been allowed to reopen their doors in most of the UK after being shut for nearly five months.

The Natural History Museum (NHM) in London is welcoming back visitors for the first time since 16 December but it won't be business as usual.

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Numbers will be restricted and those coming will need to pre-book time slots. There will also be social distancing measures in place and guests will need to wear masks.

"It's been challenging but it's been a fun challenge getting ready for the reopening," said Helena Bates, interim curator of meteorites at the NHM.

"I think people are excited to get out, to go and see something different after months of lockdown," she added.

With customers forced to stay away, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the sector. At the NHM, 50 percent of revenue is derived from visitor-related income.

Government grants and funding have helped keep many theaters and museums going for the past year but there are concerns some smaller venues may have to shut for good because of financial pressures.

According to the UK Museums Association, 4,100 jobs have already been lost directly and indirectly in the sector. More could follow, particularly given the threat of more restrictions and lockdowns due to variants of concern being monitored by the UK government.

But for many people, being able to access arts and culture physically once again will be welcome news. Imogen, a mother of three from London and told CGTN Europe that museums are "a really big part of [her family's] lives".

"I think it's a really fun way for the children to learn, it's a big exciting trip out but it's also educational in a way they can enjoy and access easily," she said.

One thing they'll now be able to see at the NHM is the Winchcombe Meteorite, the first fall to be discovered in the UK in more than 30 years.

On 28 February, the fragment crash-landed in the small market town in England which it's named after. The meteorite is now on display at the museum, where researchers say it is more than 4.5 billion years old -  older than planet Earth itself.