WASHINGTON â Officials have taken the extraordinary step of closing the Washington Monument starting Friday as a precaution after Interior Secretary David Bernhardt â who had been giving private, nighttime tours to associates â tested positive for the coronavirus.
Interior spokesman Nicholas Goodwin confirmed the temporary closure, saying the department acted after consulting with federal health officials. Bernhardt had led other Trump DOI appointees on a tour earlier this week. Some National Park Service staff at the site said they had been exposed to the secretary during his after-hours tour and are now in quarantine, which has led to a staffing shortage at the monument, Goodwin said.
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The Trump administration abruptly closed the Washington Monument after a recent visit by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, who tested positive this week for coronavirus.
Interior spokesman Nicholas Goodwin said Friday that a couple of employees have quarantined since Bernhardt’s private tour, resulting in a temporary workforce reduction at the monument and its temporary closure.
The National Park Service posted a brief notice of the closure on its website Thursday.
An official with an independent advocacy group for national parks and park workers on Friday criticized Bernhardt, saying the interior secretary had failed to protect employees health and safety during the pandemic.
The Trump administration has closed the Washington Monument because of a recent visit by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, who tested positive this week for the coronavirus.
Print article The Trump administration abruptly closed the Washington Monument over exposure concerns from a recent visit by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, who tested positive this week for the coronavirus. Interior spokesman Nicholas Goodwin said Friday “a couple” of employees have quarantined since Bernhardt’s visit, “resulting in a temporary workforce reduction at the monument and its temporary closure.” The park service posted a brief notice of the closure on its website sometime Thursday. An official with an independent advocacy group for national parks and park workers on Friday criticized Bernhardt, saying the interior secretary had failed to protect health and safety overall during the pandemic .