Why are some records only viewable in a Family History Center (which are closed for COVID19)?

I received this question yesterday, and I thought that the answer might be of general interest.

Whenever possible, FamilySearch makes records accessible to everyone who has a free FamilySearch account.

Due to contractual obligations, there are a few records that are only accessible in a Family History Center (or the Family History Library in Salt Lake City). Covid was not a consideration when these contracts were negotiated with the owners of these records. So for now, these records are not accessible.

Some other records are accessible when signed in FamilySearch with a church-member account, (If the Temple menu is visible these records are accessible. If the Temple menu is not visible, neither is this class of records.) 

Other than that, some records may be visible in Ancestry, when using a free church-member Ancestry account. Likewise for other FamilySearch partner organizations, since they have their own contracts with other organizations. 

FamilySearch tries to negotiate the best access possible to records that we do not own.  

This information was current as of April. I have not heard of any changes since.
I am sorry that I do not have better news at this time.

Bill