Smithsonian to reopen more museums shut down due to coronavirus pandemic

WASHINGTON — It’s been six months since the Smithonian has welcomed guests to tour the galleries of the museums.

But four more locations of the institution will be opening for visitors soon.

The following museums will be open Friday with reduced operating hours, WRC reported:

• National Museum of African American History and Culture
• National Portrait Gallery
• Smithsonian American Art Museum
• Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Visitors will have to have reservations, but the timed passes are free. You can sign up here.

The Smithsonian officials have started reopening locations in phases.

The National Zoo and the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, both opened in July, WRC reported.

The museum’s gardens opened last month.

Since the phased reopening began, Smithsonian officials said none of the staff have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, The Washington Post reported.

The museum has social distancing guidelines posted on signs and announced through the museums. Masks are also required for anyone over the age of 6.

So far, 45,000 people have visited Udvar-Hazy Center and 170,000 people have visited the zoo, the Post reported.

The museums closed March 14 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The other museums that make up the Smithsonian Institution have not yet open. Those locations include the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History, but virtual tours can be experienced online.

Cox Media Group