Coronavirus Latest: Officials Urge Cherry Blossom Viewers To Avoid Metro; Working On Way To Watch Online
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- While a number of events that were part of Washington, D.C.'s annual Cherry Blossom Festival have been canceled due to the coronavirus, the blossoms are nearing peak bloom and people are being discouraged from going to see them to promote social distancing.
The National Park Service reports the blossoms reached their puffy white stage, the final stage before bloom, on Monday. They estimate the blossoms will reach peak bloom between Saturday and Tuesday.
You Can Watch The DC Cherry Blossoms Safely From Home With The BloomCam
Last year, peak bloom was around April 1.
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While the National Cherry Blossom Festival set to begin Friday was canceled along with the parade. The Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival and Anacostia River Festival have been postponed.
Officials are urging people to avoid public transportation in the district except for essential trips.
WMATA is shutting down two Metro stops- Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery- to discourage people from taking the Metro to go see the blossoms.
Those who attend are being asked to practice social distancing.
The National Park Service also tweeted it and the Trust for the National Mall are working on a way to offer a live view of the blooms.
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