The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s 75th-anniversary summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center is disrupting traffic, public transit and business in the District of Columbia.
The confab runs through Thursday, although some D.C. road restrictions will last into Friday.
Some businesses have been hurt by fencing. Vendors barred from their usual areas by security barriers will be allowed to set up shop in any of D.C.’s other vending zones, the Metropolitan Police Department said.
“Some businesses are closing, other businesses have abbreviated hours, so it’s definitely an impact, a hit. We’re looking at maybe a 50% loss of business for the week. We have already worked with our delivery partners as far as rerouting drivers to the best locations to pick up the food here,” Mario Guzman, manager of Ghostburger in the fenced-off Mount Vernon neighborhood, told D.C. Fox affiliate WTTG.
On 7th Street NW, Adam Benjamin of Pearl’s Bagels told WTOP-FM that some of his breakfast and lunchtime regulars are “making plans to either work from home or come into the office sporadically throughout the time NATO’s here because it’s gonna be a logistical challenge getting to and from work.”
One of the city’s biggest sources of commuters, the federal government, has recommended working remotely for the interim.
“Those employees who do need to report to the physical worksite should allow extra time for travel to and from work whether by private vehicle or public transportation,” Veronica Hinton, associate director of workforce policy and innovation for the Office of Personnel Management, told the Washington Business Journal.
Road restrictions, bus route detours and Metrorail service changes have varied schedules.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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