USS Constitution, associated museum to reopen Friday

BOSTON – The U.S.S. Constitution, and the U.S.S. Constitution Museum in Boston plan to reopen to the public later this week after being closed for several months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Both attractions are scheduled to reopen on Friday, according to a statement.

Guests on board the ship known as “Old Ironsides” as well as in the museum will be required to wear a face coverings. Guest capacity will be limited and the museum will require timed tickets.

Both the ship and the museum will undergo more frequent cleanings.

The U.S.S Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 until 1855. The ship was undefeated in battle and destroyed or captured 33 enemy vessels.

It earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off its wooden hull.

The museum collects, preserves, and interprets the stories of the ship and its crew.

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SMITH COLLEGE-REMOTE CLASSES

The president of Smith College announced Wednesday that the school has changed its plans for the fall semester and will now offer all courses remotely over coronavirus dangers.

“Given new scientific evidence, as well as recent and troubling trends nationally and in Massachusetts, I have come to the difficult conclusion that we should not bring students back to campus for the fall semester,” President Kathleen McCartney wrote in a letter to students.

She called the decision “profoundly disappointing.”

The decision was made not just to protect the students, faculty and staff of the prestigious women’s college, but also to protect its host city of Northampton, she said.

The school had announced last month that it planned to bring about 60% of its roughly 2,500 students back to campus this fall.

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BUS SERVICE RESTORED

Three New England bus lines are restoring regional service for the first time since late March.

Concord Coach Lines, Dartmouth Coach, and Boston Express will be running again on Aug. 16 with operations that include service to Logan International Airport, the companies said in a statement.

The bus lines have installed plexiglass shields around every headrest, will run at a reduced capacity, and installed upgraded air filtration systems, among other safety protocols.