Smithsonian Museums And National Zoo To Close Starting Next Monday

The Smithsonian will be closing all museums and the National Zoo starting Monday, November 23, due to COVID-19.

On Thursday, November 19, the Smithsonian announced it would be closing all its museums and the National Zoo once more as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the Nation’s Capital.

The institution announced on social media all museums and the zoo would be closing starting Monday, November 23. The reopening date is yet to be announced.

“The Institution’s top priority is to protect the health and safety of its visitors and staff.” said the Smithsonian in a press release. “We will use this time to reassess, monitor and explore additional risk-mitigation measures. We are closely monitoring guidance from local governments, public health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

The Smithsonian first closed all its institutions back in March with the onset of the pandemic but had begun to open to the public once more during the summer. The seven museums affected by this new mandate include the National Portrait Gallery, the Renwick Gallery, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

The institution also stated it would withhold from announcing a new opening date due to “the changing nature of the situation.” For the time being, visitors can still explore the Smithsonian by heading online and checking out their virtual exhibits, online collections and more.

See also: The National Zoo’s Holiday Light Show Is Going On The Road This Year

[Featured image courtesy of the Smithsonian]