Update: All schools in Virginia are now closed.
As the novel coronavirus — also called COVID-19 or 2019-n-CoV — continues to spread worldwide, more organizations are canceling or postponing events and places are closing their doors. Concerns over the pandemic have led many government officials, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and others to take extraordinary measures in an effort to contain the outbreak and preserve public health. Below are some of the latest cancellations and closures that could affect families in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, along with a few places that remain open. Please remember things are changing quickly so this list also can rapidly become out of date — check with the official websites before you plan to visit or attend anything!
School Districts
Fairfax County Public Schools:
Closed Friday, March 13 (late-breaking news) for students and open to teachers and staff. More details will be announced soon. Earlier, the school district had announced that Monday, March 16, would be a student holiday and a day for staff training on remote learning.
Loudoun County Public Schools:
Schools are closed through Friday, March 20 due to the coronavirus. Meals will still be provided to those students who depend on school lunches.
Arlington Public Schools:
Classes are in session as of now (March 12) but all non-essential events and trips are cancelled. Changes could happen at any moment, so see the APS website for the latest. Official website
Prince William County Schools:
Students have a regular day on Friday, March 13. Parents can choose to keep students home and the absence will be excused. All extracurricular activities outside of the regular school day are canceled until further notice. Monday, March 16, will be a teacher workday and Tuesday, March 17, will be a virtual workday, so students will be off those days. Students are expected back on Wednesday, March 18. Official website
Alexandria City Public Schools:
At the moment, schools are open and operating on a regular schedule, but this could change quickly as the coronavirus situation further develops. Official website
Major attractions
Smithsonian Institution Museums:
All Smithsonian museums in the area, including the National Zoo in DC and the Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia, will close to the public temporarily (as of now indefinitely) starting Saturday, March 14. Official website
Fairfax County Park Authority:
As of now, all parks and RECenters remain open. Official website
Northern Virginia Parks:
NOVA Parks remain open, but some events such as Easter egg hunts in April have been cancelled. Official website
Kennedy Center:
The Kennedy Center has canceled all performances there March 13-31. The campus and all its facilities are closed to visitors. Official website
Children’s Science Center:
As of now, the Lab of the Children’s Science Center at Fair Oaks Mall remains open with regular hours and programs. Official website
Special events
DC St. Patrick’s Day Parade:
The St. Patrick’s Parade scheduled for March 15 in DC has been postponed. No new date has been announced yet. Official website
Greater Manassas St. Patrick’s Day Parade:
The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Manassas for Saturday, March 14, has just been cancelled as well. Official website
Dulles Expo Center events:
The Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia, remains open at this time. Upcoming events are the National Capital Boat Show March 13-15, the Super Pet Expo March 20-22, and the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival March 27-29. Official website
USA Science and Engineering Festival:
This huge science and engineering expo comes to DC every two years and was set for late April. It now has been postponed. Official website
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