The government shutdown has reached day 12, with President Trump saying Wednesday that “Could be a long time or could be quickly,” that the shutdown ends.
If you work or live in and around the District, this is what you need to know:
Under a partial shutdown, some things, such as the national parks, will remain open, but with limited services. This means trash pick-up and bathrooms will not be maintained. Other venues, like The Kennedy Center, will only be open for shows and the gift shop, with the public unable to visit at other times.
With litter piling up on the National Mall, D.C. Public Works has been stepping up since the shutdown began, emptying the trash bins twice a day at national parks. However, they said they are not responsible for loose litter on the ground. According to Mayor Bowser, the budget for trash removal is $46,000 a week. Groups such as Capitol Hill BID are cleaning up other national parks normally maintained by NPS each morning. Those parks include Lincoln Park, Stanton Park, Marion Park, Folger Park and Seward Square.
READ MORE: Litter piles up on National Mall as shutdown continues; DC works collecting trash in national parks
However, this also means that porta-potties have been overflowing with human waste on the National Mall as they are not being maintained.
Public bathrooms remain locked up.
Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo closed on January 2 after prior-year funding ran out, forcing employees, such as at the National Museum of African American History, to stop working.
This also means the Panda cam is no longer active at the National Zoo, but the Zoo assures the public that the animals remain cared for.
While the Smithsonian museums are unavailable, other private museums and venues in the District remain open. Some museums, like the Newseum, The Building Museum, and Lincoln’s Cottage, are offering free admission to furloughed government employees with federal IDs. Others, like Artechouse, are offering discounted admission.
Speaking of federal employees, restaurants and bars in the District are offering various deals and discounts to those with IDs. This includes free meals at any Jose Andres’ restaurant and &pizza. However, vendors outside museums and monuments are concerned about their revenue.
One closure came as a shock to engaged couples: The D.C. Bureau of Marriage. As it receives federal funding, it closed along with the government, preventing people from obtaining marriage licenses in the District. However, the office of Mayor Bowser has pledged to put forth emergency legislation to help engaged couples obtain marriage licenses. Divorce services are still available.
