About Coronavirus 2020
Washingtonian is keeping you up to date on the coronavirus around DC.
After Mayor Bowser declared a state of emergency in DC due to coronavirus concerns on Wednesday, some DC buildings announced they would be closing or limiting access. We’ve rounded them up below and will keep updating this post. Also, here’s our ever-updated post about the status of events around town.
The Library of Congress
The Library of Congress announced Wednesday that it plans to limit public access to its facility until April 1. Employees, authorized visitors, and staffers from Capitol Hill with credentials will still be allowed inside.
EagleBank Arena
After George Mason University announced an extended spring break, Monumental Sports said in a statement that the arena on the school’s campus will close to the public until April 3.
The Supreme Court
The court issued a statement that its building will close to the public “until further notice.”
The White House
Judd Deere, a White House spokesman, told NBC News on Thursday that tours of the White House will be suspended indefinitely.
The US Capitol
The Capitol Visitor Center will discontinue all public tours until April 1, and Congress plans to restrict access to the Capitol building and House and Senate office buildings to staff, members, and press with credentials, following an order from the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms.
The Kennedy Center
The performing arts center will close its campus and all facilities to the public until further notice, though administrative staff will be allowed in.
Smithsonian Museums
All Smithsonian museums, including the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, will close to the public indefinitely beginning March 14. The National Zoo will also close. Employees will be allowed to continue working on Smithsonian grounds if they choose or need to, though, and animal care at the zoo will continue as usual.
The National Children’s Museum
The art and science center, which opened its doors in February, will close until further notice.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts
The museum closed to the public on March 14 and cancelled all public programs through May 3.
The National Gallery of Art
The Gallery will shut its doors to visitors beginning on March 14, and tentatively plans to reopen on April 4.
DC Public Libraries
All branches will close from March 16 until April 1, and they’ll be locking drop boxes. However, late fees will be waived, and you can still get e-books.
The Phillips Collection
The art museum will close from March 14 until April 3, though it will be offering some programming online.
The Art Museum of the Americas
The museum will be closed for disinfecting from March 17 until March 19.
Arena Stage
The theater will close to the public from March 16 to March 30, though staff will continue to work and manage basic operations.
The National Building Museum
The museum will be closed “until further notice,” with all public programming canceled through the end of April.
Nathan Diller has also written for DCist, Vulture, and Bustle. On Twitter, he’s @nateclaydiller.
