Washington Monument closed down after Interior Secretary tests positive for COVID-19
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY
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WASHINGTON — Federal officials closed the Washington Monument to visitors on a temporary basis beginning Friday after U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, who led a private tour of the monument this week, tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
Interior Department spokesman Nicholas Goodwin confirmed the closure, which the Washington Post first reported. He said "a couple" employees at the monument were forced to quarantine as as result of Bernhardt's positive test, prompting the decision.
"As we do in all circumstances when an employee attests to having COVID-19," he said, the department worked with public health officials to follow proper guidelines such as identifying close contacts and cleaning areas as appropriate.