Safety Measures

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is open daily to the public.

Free timed-entry passes are required for entry.

The following safety measures are in place to protect the health of our visitors, staff and volunteers based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local governments. We ask that all visitors, including those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, follow these safety measures to protect everyone’s health. Visitors are not required* to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. 

Please note that we may adjust our safety guidelines based on changing CDC COVID-19 Community Levels. We encourage visitors to regularly check our website before their visit for the latest guidelines. Washington, D.C. is currently in the CDC’s Low Community Level category. During this time, we are implementing the following safety measures: 

If sick, please stay home illustration

If Sick, Stay Home  

We are asking all visitors who are sick or feel unwell to please stay home.

Visitors are encouraged to wash and sanitize hands frequently during their visit. Hand-sanitizing stations will be available throughout our facilities.

graphic image of face mask on yellow and blue

Face Coverings

As of March 11, face coverings are not required to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

While it will not be required, all visitors who feel more comfortable wearing a face mask during their visit are encouraged to do so.

We encourage visitors to maintain a safe social distance of six feet or more between households and groups when possible, but our museum becomes crowded, especially during peak visitation times. Visitors who wish to avoid crowds are encouraged to plan their visit during weekdays.

For everyone’s safety, all visitors are required to pass through screening at the entrance to the museum. During the security process, you are greeted by one of our security personnel who conduct a thorough but speedy hand-check of all bags, briefcases, purses, strollers, and containers. All visitors are required to walk through a metal detector. Those visitors unable to go through the metal detector will be hand-screened with an electronic wand by security personnel. 

Items Not Permitted in the Museum

The following items are not permitted in the museum at any time:
  • tripods
  • monopods
  • selfie sticks
  • guns
  • 3D weapons
  • knives
  • pen knives
  • pets
  • food and drinks
  • scissors
  • aerosol cans, including pepper spray and Mace
  • tools
  • smoking
  • placards, signs, or banners

*Special events and some after-hours programming may require guests to provide proof of vaccination.