The US federal government has begun a partial shutdown in a move that will hit thousands of holidaymakers to the US.
National parks, museums, federal buildings and services are to be closed from today after US Congress failed to agree a budget by midnight last night, which means 700,000 federal workers have been sent home without pay.
Institutions affected include the Statute of Liberty and Yosemite National Parks, 19 museums and galleries and the National Zoo, which will all close. Both day visitors and overnight visitors have been asked to leave.
Flights should not be affected as air traffic control and those responsible for national security operations will continue to work. Green Card applications will continue to be processed, but it is not clear if visa waiver applications will be affected.
The shutdown, the first in 17 years, was prompted after Republicans refused last night to authorise any more spending unless Congress delayed President Barack Obama’s health reforms for at least a year.
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