Museums, orchestras open up for free to workers hit by US government shutdown政府閉鎖で自宅待機の職員に、博物館やコンサートが無料になるサービス

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is hitting federal workers hard. But some museums and orchestras are helping out with food and free admission.

The government partially shut down on Dec. 22 after President Donald Trump insisted on money for a border wall in an annual spending bill, and Congress said no. Thousands of federal workers have been furloughed without pay.

Now, museums in at least 27 states, along with at least 19 orchestras, are offering free admission to federal workers who have unpaid time on their hands.

Nearly 200 furloughed employees have taken advantage of an offer from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The museum is letting each worker and a guest to enter free.

“It will not solve the shutdown crisis, but it can help build positive experiences during a difficult time,” said museum spokesman Norman Keyes. (Reuters)