Metro closing stations to deter cherry blossom visitors

Smithsonian, Arlington Cemetery stations closed until further notice

Published March 19, 2020 by Richard Foster

In order to prevent use of the Metrorail for recreational visits to the cherry blossom trees around the Washington, D.C., Tidal Basin during the COVID-19 crisis, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is closing the  Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery Metro stations at 5 p.m. on Thursday March 19 until further notice.

Metro service has been cut to “essential trips only” in Northern Virginia and the rest of the Washington D.C. region. Essential trips include those taken by hospital staff, government officials and emergency responders.