WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Officials ordered the U.S. Capitol complex closed to much of the public starting on Thursday, one day after a staffer for a U.S. senator from Washington state tested positive for the new coronavirus.
FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Capitol building exterior is seen at sunset in Washington, U.S., January 21, 2020. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger/File Photo
Limited access to the Capitol building and office buildings will begin at 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT) and last at least until April 1, the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms said in a statement. The Capitol Visitor Center will be closed and all public tours suspended.
Lawmakers, staff, credentialed journalists and visitors with official business would still be allowed entry.
Congress planned to take a week-l