Thousands of federal workers face unpaid leave as US government shutdown hits key services

Federal services will be affected in different ways by the shutdown. So if you’re planning to visit the US soon, you should plan ahead as it’s very possible you’ll encounter some disruptions.

Your flight plans may be affected

Air traffic control and Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) workers are considered “essential” – so will continue to work. However, as with other essential workers, they won’t be paid until the shutdown resolves.

During the last shutdown, these workers increasingly began to call in sick, leading to airport delays.

The US Department of Transportation’s shutdown plans outline that hiring and training of air traffic controllers will continue.

Public transport within the US should continue as normal

The Rail Passengers Association said last week that Amtrak, and transit systems, should not be affected in the short term.

Most other forms of public transit in the US – like city buses, subways, light rails, trams, and ferries – are not federally funded and so will run as normal.

Attractions and landmarks will be affected differently

An Interior Department contingency plan has outlined that national parks will remain partially open.

In Washington DC and New York, the Smithsonian Institution which owns many museums as well as the National Zoo has said it has enough funds to remain open for a week.

According to the American Alliance of Museums – the Smithsonian’s museums lost an estimated one million visitors during the last government shutdown in late 2018.