D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has ordered the restriction of access to the Tidal Basin and the National Mall in an effort to stop people from gathering in large crowds in the area especially to see the city’s beloved cherry blossoms, which recently reached peak bloom, as part of coronavirus protection measures.
The National Guard and D.C. police have been tasked with enforcing the order by closing down public streets as of March 22. The measure will remain in place until further notice.
There will also be limited pedestrian and bicycle traffic around the National Mall.
In coordination with @NatlParkService , MPD will continue the below street closures from 7am – 8pm until further notice.
For full release, please visit: https://t.co/CsCs3ND971 pic.twitter.com/FZRZvDx73l
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) March 23, 2020
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced on Sunday that the closures are being carried out from 7:00 a.m through 8:00 p.m. in coordination with the National Park Service (NPS) at the locations listed below:
- The Memorial Bridge
- Lincoln Memorial Circle
- Potomac River Freeway (all exits to Ohio Drive and Independence Avenue)
- Rock Creek Parkway/Potomac Parkway Drive between Virginia Avenue and Independence Avenue, SW (to include Ohio Drive, SW)
- Independence Avenue between Ohio Drive and 14th Street, SW
- 23rd Street between Constitution Avenue and Lincoln Memorial Circle
- Henry Bacon Drive between Constitution Avenue and Lincoln Memorial Circle
- 17th Street between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW
- 15th Street between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW
- Maine Avenue between Independence and 12th Street, SW
- All vehicular exits to East Potomac Park and West Potomac Park