The Smithsonian Institution is closing the doors to its museums and the National Zoo as health officials in Washington, D.C., grapple with an uptick in coronavirus cases.
Beginning Nov. 23, all museums and the National Zoo will be closed, and there is no reopening date in sight, according to a statement released by the Smithsonian on Thursday.
“Due to rising regional and national cases related to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Smithsonian museums, including the National Zoo, will temporarily close to the public starting Monday, Nov. 23,” read a Thursday afternoon tweet from the Smithsonian.
Due to rising regional and national cases related to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Smithsonian museums, including the National Zoo, will temporarily close to the public starting Monday, Nov. 23. We are not announcing a reopening date at this time. https://t.co/9XewKNQ2HC
— Smithsonian (@smithsonian) November 19, 2020
Exhibits can still be viewed digitally. The news came a day after 156 cases and five deaths were reported in the District on Wednesday.
“The Institution’s top priority is to protect the health and safety of its visitors and staff. We will use this time to reassess, monitor and explore additional risk-mitigation measures,” officials with the Smithsonian wrote in a statement released on Thursday.
