More than 3,000 enslaved people were freed on April 16, 1862 in the District of Columbia after President Abraham Lincoln signed an act authorizing their liberation. The city has commemorated that date as Emancipation Day since 2005.

The local holiday will trigger some government closures and schedule changes. Here’s a list of what is scheduled to be open and closed on Friday:

What’s open 

• COVID-19 vaccination sites 
• The city’s emergency operations center, which responds to severe weather conditions, disasters and other emergencies
• Emergency shelters. People seeking access to homeless services can call the D.C. Shelter Hotline at  202-399-7093 or 311 at any time.
• Drop-in shelters for homeless residents. The Downtown Day Services Centers, 1313 New York Avenue, NW, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment-only. Zoe’s Doors, 2001 Mississippi Avenue, SE, will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

What’s closed 

• The District’s COVID-19 public testing sites and call center 
•  Meal distribution sites at D.C. Public Schools campuses and Department of Parks and Recreation facilities
• All neighborhood public libraries and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library  
• Recreation, community and aquatic centers operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation 
• The Department of Employment Services call center. Residents can still file unemployment claims online. 
• The warming center at the Downtown Services Center and the Sasha Bruce Youth Drop-In Center
• All DMV locations. Online services will remain available
• The D.C. Health & Wellness Center located at 77 P St. NE 
• Economic security administration services centers operated by the Department of Human Services

Other service changes

• The Department of Public Works will suspend trash and recycling collection until Saturday, April 17. 
• Street sweeping will not occur
• Ticketing will be suspended on emergency no parking violations; expired license plates and inspection stickers; expired residential parking permits; and expired meters