Burke Openings, Closings For MLK Jr. Day, Inauguration 2021

Fairfax County has a double holiday week coming up. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday that county government usually closes for, but the county also designates Inauguration Day as a holiday when it occurs every four years.

King's birthday is Jan. 15, but the federal holiday falls on the third Monday of January. This year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 18. Since the holiday is considered a day of service, Volunteer Fairfax is hosting a Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend of Service. The National Park Service also holds its first fee-free day at Great Falls Park and other nationals parks with entrance fees.

Inauguration Day will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 20. President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in at noon, but visitors are discouraged from visiting DC like in past years. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan issued a joint statement urging Americans to avoid traveling to DC due to the COVID-19 pandemic and potential of violence after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Nevertheless, Jan. 20 is a holiday for Fairfax County government as well as Fairfax County Public Schools.

Below are the openings and closings to know for Monday, Jan. 18 and Wednesday, Jan. 20 around Burke.

Fairfax County government offices: Closed on Jan. 18 and 20.

Courts: The Fairfax County General District Court, Circuit Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court will be closed on Jan. 18.

Fairfax County Public Schools: The school district is closed on Jan. 18 and 20.

Animal shelter: Due to the pandemic, the Fairfax County Animal Shelter's services are available by appointment only.

Burke Centre Conservancy: Jan. 18 is a holiday for Burke Centre staff.

Community centers: All Neighborhood and Community Services centers require advance registrations.

Department of Motor Vehicles: The state DMV offices are by appointment only; walk-in services are not available at this time.

Fairfax Connector: On Jan. 18, Fairfax Connector runs holiday weekday service. For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector.

Libraries: All Fairfax County Library branches are open for curbside services from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and virtual services. The library system is closed on Jan. 18 and 20.

Metro: Metro announced service changes for inauguration week from Friday, Jan. 15 through Thursday, Jan. 21. Metro will close 13 stations inside the security perimeter, including 11 stations on Friday and two on Saturday. Closed stations from Jan. 15 to 21 are: Farragut North, Judiciary Square, Union Station, Archives, Arlington Cemetery, Farragut West, McPherson Square, Federal Center SW, Capitol South, Smithsonian and Federal Triangle. Stations closed from Jan. 16 to 21 are Metro Center and Gallery Place. Buses will operate on normal weekday and weekend schedules, except for Inauguration Day. On Jan. 20, buses will run on a Saturday schedule.

Park authority: Colvin Run Mill and Sully Historic Site are closed on Jan. 18. Frying Pan Farm Park is open, but the visitor center is closed. The Green Spring Gardens horticultural center is open and the historic house is closed.

Post offices: Closed on Jan. 18.

Recreation centers: Open regular hours on Jan. 18.

Trash and recycling collection: For county collection customers, regular trash and recycling collection will happen on Jan. 18 and 20. If you have private collection, contact your hauler. Christmas trees will be collected from Jan. 11 to 22, and all decorations must be removed before disposal.

Trash and recycling centers: The Recycling and Disposal Centers at the I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road) and the I-95 Landfill Complex (9850 Furnace Road) are open on Jan. 18 and 20.

Virginia Railway Express: There is no VRE service on Jan. 18 through Jan. 20. For more information, visit www.vre.org.