China’s top cultural heritage authority has called for the collection and preservation of pandemic-related mementos.

In a statement Wednesday, the National Cultural Heritage Administration said that provincial-level museums nationwide and prefecture-level museums in Hubei province should start collecting mementos reflecting China’s efforts to prevent and control the COVID-19 outbreak. The mementos may include government documents; work diaries and letters from medical teams and staff; banners; pass cards; thermometers from police officers, residents, community workers, and volunteers; audio and video records; photographs; and paintings.

“Collecting, preserving, and displaying these items that bear witness to the spirit of the Chinese nation and the memory of the times is an important responsibility and mission of our museums,” the administration said. The statement added that all collected objects should be professionally disinfected, and that the collection process should not result in mass gatherings or direct contact.

Some museums in China had already begun calling for pandemic mementos over the past month, according to The Beijing News. The National Museum of China and the Capital Museum — both in Beijing — made similar announcements on March 11 and Wednesday, respectively. (Image: Xinhua)