The cherry blossoms' peak bloom is anticipated to take place between March 26 and April 12.
If you're excited about the cherry blossom trees blooming, we're right there with you! However, if you're looking to visit Tidal Basin in D.C. anytime soon, you should know that the National Park Service (NPS) is not messing around when it comes to public health and safety.
"We will keep access to the trees open as long as we can. But once crowds have reached the point that social distancing can no longer be maintained, we will close access points to all vehicles and pedestrians, and any closures that occur would remain in place until after peak bloom has passed, and the likelihood of large crowds has dissipated," said NPS spokesman Mike Litterst.
"The National Park Service will limit all vehicular and pedestrian access to the Tidal Basin, East Potomac Park and West Potomac Park during the peak bloom period of the cherry blossoms as a public health precaution to mitigate the spread of COVID-19," he added.
Closed roads and areas will include, per NPS:
- Ohio Drive SW, from Buckeye Drive SW (Washington Channel side) to Independence Avenue SW
- East Basin Drive SW east of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial to Ohio Drive SW
- West Basin Drive SW from Ohio Drive SW to Independence Avenue SW
- Tidal Basin walking trail
- Northbound I-395 ramp to Potomac Park (Exit 2)
- Southbound I-395 ramp to Potomac Park (Exit 2)
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial
- Tidal Basin paddle boats
- All curbside parking and parking lots within the closure
NPS is hoping that people will, instead, view the blooms virtually. There's also a BloomCam.
Share your thoughts in the comments below.