The White House is planning to re-open to the public after being closed for nearly two years, and the Capitol may open up again, too, according to reports.
The Biden administration announced Tuesday that the White House would open to public tours beginning on April 15. Tours would initially be available from 8AM to 12:30PM on Fridays and Saturdays, excluding Federal holidays or other circumstances, including official events. Tours will be free to the public, but must be submitted by a member of Congress and their Congressional Tour Coordinator. Tours must also be scheduled within a window of between 21 and 90 days in advance.
The White House is also following continuing guidance on COVID-19 protocols. “The White House will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation with guidance based on recommendations from the CDC, and other public health officials and medical experts, and reserves the right to adjust availability of the public tours as necessary to adhere to the latest health guidance. Within the 10 days prior to the public tour, anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, has had any COVID-19 symptoms, or been in close contact with someone confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, should stay home. Face masks will be available when entering the White House complex for those who choose to wear them,” the announcement said.
The opening of the Capitol is also being planned. Fox News Congressional reporter Chad Pergram said on Twitter that the Capitol Police still needed to agree to a reopening. “Fox is told the USCP must still agree to implement the semi-reopening of the Capitol,” Pergram tweeted. “Here is the general proposal which must be signed off. The number of official visitors to the Capitol or offices will grow to 15 from 9.”
1) Fox is told the USCP must still agree to implement the semi-reopening of the Capitol. Here is the general proposal which must be signed off.
The number of official visitors to the Capitol or offices will grow to 15 from 9.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 14, 2022
“Staff-led tours are currently, technically prohibited – although you see them around the building from time to time. Those would be capped at 15 persons. The student group groups would operate between 10 am et-and 2 pm et, Monday through Friday,” Pergram added. “They would also re-open the US Botanic Garden, located at the foot of Capitol Hill on the House side.”
2) Staff-led tours are currently, technically prohibited – although you see them around the building from time to time. Those would be capped at 15 persons.
The student group groups would operate between 10 am et-and 2 pm et, Monday through Friday.— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 14, 2022
3) They would also re-open the US Botanic Garden, located at the foot of Capitol Hill on the House side.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 14, 2022
The Hill reported further that those tours would be allowed to begin again on March 28, as part of a phased re-opening plan for the People’s House. The decision follows a loosening of COVID-19 restrictions in the District of Columbia, as well as the Capitol physician dropping the mask requirement for the House of Representatives, and the CDC loosening mask guidance overall. A growing number of bipartisan members of Congress have been calling for the Capitol to be reopened recently.
“This place belongs to the people; they should be able to be here,” Democratic Michigan Representative Dan Kildee told NBC News.
“I’d like to see the Capitol open safely to tourists again,” Democratic Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, added. “It is time that the U.S. Capitol open once again to visitors,” Eleanor Holmes-Norton, D.C.’s non-voting representative, added, via The Hill.
“While it may be reasonable to make certain accommodations to ensure the health and safety of members, staff, and visitors, current conditions no longer justify a blanket prohibition on the public’s access to Capitol Hill,” Republican Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville said in an op-ed for Fox News back in December. “It’s time to find a way to let the people back in.”
“We proudly consider this a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But to truly serve the people, we must make this institution accessible to the public,” a group of Republican leaders in the House wrote in a March 3 statement. Today, we stand united as House Republicans to deliver a clear message to Speaker Pelosi – reopen the People’s House today.”