Museums and the national park welcome center in Oak Ridge are closed because of COVID-19, the respiratory illness that has infected more than 200,000 people in at least 144 countries around the world and killed more than 8,000 people.
The museums closed in Oak Ridge are the American Museum of Science and Energy, Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, K-25 History Center, Oak Ridge History Museum at Midtown Community Center (Wildcat Den), and Y-12 History Museum at New Hope Center.
Also closed is the Manhattan Project National Historical Park Welcome Center at the Children’s Museum.
The AMSE bus tours are also not operating now.
The closures are part of an effort to reduce contact between people to help limit the spread of the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. There have been widespread shutdowns, quarantines, lockdowns, travel bans, and school closures in countries around the world as officials seek to reduce the spread of the contagious virus, which is reported to be at least 10 times more lethal than the flu and has rapidly spread across countries.
More than 80,000 patients are reported to have recovered. About 80 percent of patients are said to have mild symptoms.
In Oak Ridge, Explore Oak Ridge is keeping an events calendar. The organization, which helps promote tourism, has a list of restaurants offering carryout and curbside service and dine-in options, and a short list of closed restaurants: Big Ed’s Pizza and Dean’s. Explore Oak Ridge said greenways and walkways are still open, but it encourages people to practice “social distancing,” guidance that includes avoiding large gatherings and keeping at least six feet away from other people.
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