The Smithsonian Institution is temporarily reducing public hours at many of its museums in Washington, D.C as it prepares for staff shortages due to the surge in Covid-19 cases.
The Smithsonian’s museums in Washington, D.C. and the National Zoo will operate on a modified timetable from January 5 through January 17. The National Zoo will be open five days a week.
The National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Arts and Industries Building will also be open five days a week.
The Smithsonian Institution Building and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia remain open daily. The National Air and Space Museum and the Anacostia Community Museum will be closed through January 17.
Modified schedule for museums in D.C.
The modified timetable will allow the Smithsonian to reposition employees across its museums, with the institution assessing the situation and staffing needs. It will adjust the schedule as needed.
The National Museum of the American Indian and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City remain open with their current operating schedules.
Smithsonian Institution schedule from January 5 to January 17
- Smithsonian American Art Museum – closed Thursday, Friday, Saturday
- National Portrait Gallery – closed Thursday, Friday, Saturday
- Renwick Gallery – closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
- Hirshhorn Museum – closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
- National Museum of the American Indian – closed Thursday, Friday, Saturday
- National Museum of African Art – closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
- National Museum of Asian Art – closed Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
- National Postal Museum – closed Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Before Christmas, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York reduced visitor capacity and closed its dining locations in response to a statewide surge of Covid-19 cases.
The Met’s decision came after the temporary closure of the Natural History Museum in London due to Covid-related “staff shortages”. NHM has now reopened.
Images: Smithsonian Institution
