Some DC Services Closed, Altered Due To Emancipation Day

WASHINGTON, DC — Some services in Washington, D.C., will be altered or closed Thursday, as the District Government observes Emancipation Day.

The following essential services will continue to operate on Thursday:

• Emergency Operations Center: All District personnel assigned to COVID-19 Operations, Planning, Mission Support and Recovery Sections, and the Joint Information Center will report for work.
• All COVID-19 Testing and Public Health Operations: D.C. residents can continue to be tested for COVID-19. For more information, on testing sites, visit coronavirus.dc.gov/testing.
• School Meal Sites: D.C. Public Schools will continue to serve breakfast and lunch at sites across the District.
• Grocery Distribution Sites: D.C. families can still visit the weekday grocery distribution sites at Anacostia High School and Kimball Elementary School, which will be open from 12:30–2 p.m.
• Unemployment Services: The Department of Employment Services Navigation Call Center will continue operate. Residents can call 202-724-7000 to learn DOES services and to file unemployment insurance claims. Residents can also file unemployment insurance claims online.
• Access to Emergency Shelter: Low-barrier shelters will remain open on Thursday. Families seeking access to homeless services should call the DC Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or 311 at any time of the day or night. Men: New York Avenue Shelter at 1355 New York Ave., N.E.; 801 East Shelter at 801 Making Life Better Lane, S.E.; and Adams Place Emergency Shelter at 2210 Adams Place, N.E. Women: Saint Josephine Bakhita at 6010 Georgia Ave., NW (Opens at 7 p.m.); Harriet Tubman at 1900 Massachusetts Ave. SE Building #2; Patricia Handy Place for Women at 810 5th St., N.W.
• Drop-In Centers for Residents Experiencing Homeless Zoe’s Doors Youth Drop-In Center located at 900 Rhode Island Ave., N.E., will remain open, as well as the Sasha Bruce Youth Drop-In Center at 741 8th St., S.E.
• Transportation to Emergency Shelter: Transportation to emergency shelter will be available and provided to anyone experiencing homelessness in the District. To request transportation, contact the Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or by calling 311.

The following services will be suspended or will operate on a modified schedule on Thursday:

• The Department of Public Works (DPW) will suspend sanitation services, which will resume on Friday, April 17. Trash and recycling collections will “slide” to the next day for the remainder of the week into Saturday.
• DC Circulator’s reduced schedule/modified service remains in effect. DC Circulator will operate from 6 a.m.-9 p.m.. Riders should only use transit for essential trips. Service on the National Mall route is suspended. Fares on all routes are suspended through the end of the public health emergency. DC Circulator passengers are asked to enter and exit the bus using the rear door at all times. The only exceptions are for passengers who need to use the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) boarding ramp or require the bus to “kneel” to facilitate boarding.
• DC Streetcar will operate on its reduced schedule/modified schedule from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Riders should only use transit for essential trips.
• Street Sweeping and Parking Enforcement: DPW's modified services remain in effect as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency will remain in effect. Residential street sweeping is suspended and ticketing for safety violations (e.g., blocking a fire hydrant) continues. Ticketing is suspended for emergency no parking violations (vehicles will be relocated without charge and will not be ticketed); expired District license plates and inspection stickers; expired residential parking permits and expired meters. Vehicle booting and towing is suspended.

The following services will be closed on Thursday:

• All Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) locations remain closed.
• All Department of Parks and Recreation facilities, including playgrounds, parks, and athletic fields, remain closed to the public.
• All D.C. Public Libraries (DCPL) remain closed.
• The Department of Human Services (DHS) Economic Security Administration (ESA) Service Centers will be closed for the holiday.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will suspend construction and work zones for non-emergency work in roadways, alleys and sidewalks within the District’s right of way. Approved construction actives will resume on Friday.

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) is not permitting normal construction on District Government holidays and violations could result in a Stop Work Order and fines. However, construction performed with an active after hours work permit is allowed.