Isbella Diaz
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) Veterans and MedStar patients, fear not: You can still access healthcare at the DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center across the street from the Basilica.
The area surrounding the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is expecting a lot more traffic than usual as a result of the Junipero Serra Canonization Mass that will be celebrated by Pope Francis at 4:15 p.m on Wednesday. This left some lingering fears that staffers and visitors to the Medical Center might have some trouble getting in.
However, the center assures veterans and patients: They are fully operational.
“It was a bit of a challenge to get in this morning; however, the traffic was really light…possibly because many members of federal government agencies were allowed to tele-work,” said Gloria Hairston, Director of Public Affairs at the Veterans Medical Center.
The over 1,000 workers of the center were able to commute in by taking a few detour routes into work.
The Medical Center’s shuttles, however, will be diverted, going one stop further than Brookland Metro Station.
The center also suggests that visitors avoid Michigan Avenue in the area of Catholic University and the Basilica, as well as the Brookland/CUA Metro station.
And for those who really wish to avoid traffic or coming in: You can still go to one of the Medical Center’s community-based, outpatient clinics throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
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