#White House set to resume public tours after 6-month hiatus

The White House will resume public tours starting Saturday, September 12, after a six-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the East Wing announced Tuesday.

Tours will take place on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 am to 11 am. In an effort to adhere to social distancing guidelines, groups will only be at 18 percent capacity.

Tours were previously offered five days a week.

Face masks will be required for guests older than 2-years-old and hand sanitizer will be provided at multiple locations.

“In order to ensure the safety and health of all visitors, there have been new policies implemented that align with the guidance issued by Federal, State, and local officials,” a statement from First Lady Melania Trump’s office read.

Tourists coming from high-risk states to the District of Columbia will already have quarantine rules to adhere to before entering the White House grounds.

Currently, the DC health department requires anyone coming from more than 20 states to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival to the city.

The White House suspended public tours in March, as the pandemic began to sweep the US, at the same time as the US Capitol closed its doors.

Staff- and lawmaker-led tours were also prohibited.

Despite the White House’s effort to relaunch tours, the US Capitol, as well as nearby congressional office buildings, remain closed.

Several other federal tourist attractions — including the Pentagon — also remain closed.