COVID-19 Update: All museums and the Zoo will close to the public

We have all seen how the coronavirus is spreading, and the Smithsonian is taking immediate action to protect the safety and health of its staff, volunteers and visitors.

All Smithsonian museums in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and New York City, including the National Zoo, will be temporarily closed to the public starting Saturday, March 14.  Due to the rapidly changing nature of the situation, we are not announcing a re-opening date at this time and will provide updates on a week-to-week basis.

Although we are closing to the public, employees and affiliated staff (contractors, volunteers, interns, fellows, etc.) will continue to have access to Smithsonian locations this weekend and next week.

On Monday, we will provide further internal guidance.

Smithsonian management and employees are allowed broadly expanded telework arrangements subject to supervisory guidance and approval.   Essential (or emergency operations) staff should continue to report per their normal duty schedule.

We recognize that you will have many questions, and we will be developing information for you to help address those issues.  In the meantime, please send your questions to si-coronavirusinfo@si.edu

Thank you for all that you do for the Smithsonian,

Lonnie Bunch
Secretary

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ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Feb. 8 – 14, 2020 COVID-19 Update: What does “closed to the public” mean to me? Office of Protection Services has a new director Thank you, Mrs. Haupt.