Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Reopen May 14

After being shut down for some time now, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) and other Smithsonian museums will reopen in May.

The NMAAHC and other museums were shut down in 2020 due to the pandemic. The Smithsonian Institution released a statement announcing the reopening of its museums, which also includes the National Zoo and six other museums, BET reported.

“The Smithsonian will reopen its facilities to the public in May, starting with the National Air Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, Wednesday, May 5. Additional museums and the National Zoo will open Friday, May 14, and Friday, May 21.”

In October 2020, the NMAAHC opened for a brief stint but closed down the following month due to “public health precautions” surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

The museums will reopen with new guidelines through the help of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide a safe place for visitors as the virus still lingers.

The museums and zoo request all visitors feeling ill to stay home and for those over the age of 2 to wear a face mask. They will also monitor and limit the number of people in each location and implement safe social distancing, including one-pathways and directional guidance where appropriate.

The cafes inside the museums will not reopen at this time. However, restaurants and food trucks at National Zoo will open.

“All on-site public tours and events are temporarily suspended,” the press release continues. “Some exhibits, galleries, interactives, theaters, retail shops, or indoor spaces may be closed or operating at limited capacity. Detailed information for visitors is available on the museum websites.”