WMATA announced on Thursday that it’s closing the Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery rail stations to prevent locals from making Cherry Blossom trips during the coronavirus pandemic. The Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin are reaching peak bloom and have reached the penultimate stage: “puffy white.” According to the Washington Post, peak bloom will happen in the next few days.
“We’ll do cherry blossoms another time,” Metro wrote on its Twitter account, adding that “Metro is for essential trips only.”
NEW – Again, Metro is for essential trips only. We'll do cherry blossoms another time. #wmata https://t.co/YmdHvw2tVs
— Metro (@wmata) March 19, 2020
In a release, WMATA wrote, “Metro today announced the closures of Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations, effective 5 p.m. today, to discourage the use of Metrorail for recreational visits to view the Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin. Metro is open for ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY to maintain regional mobility for hospital staff, government officials, and emergency responders. The two stations will remain closed until further notice.”
Metro announced major service reductions and began only serving essential trips on Wednesday, “to protect frontline employees, while maintaining regional mobility for essential trips.”
“The reduction takes into account the urgent public guidance from regional leaders, along with emergency orders to cancel events, close schools, and offices, and limit social gatherings across the nation,” Metro wrote in a release. “Our region is speaking with one voice: Stay home. Essential travel only.”
Earlier in the week, Metro announced that one of its officers tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
This morning, we received word that one of our Officers has tested positive for #coronavirus. Information is attached from our GM. We want you to know that our Officer has got the support of the entire Metro family and is isolated and recovering at home. #wmata #covid19 pic.twitter.com/P1ksSI3ovy
— Metro Transit Police (@MetroTransitPD) March 16, 2020
Headline photo: Ian Oland/RMNB
