Transit | Parking | Businesses, Stores, & Restaurants | Volunteering | More Resources
First Thing's First...
From Montgomery County:
"If you think you are ill and need medical care, you should seek medical attention. Call ahead before going so the provider can take precautions when you arrive. Testing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) change frequently. Please visit their site for updates on their guidance about who should be tested.
Your physician or health care provider will assess your symptoms and determine if diagnostic testing for the COVID-19 virus is appropriate. If your health care provider suspects COVID-19, THEY will coordinate testing with a commercial lab or the State's public health laboratory. While some commercial labs have the ability to analyze and report results to the patient or provider who ordered testing, the labs currently only perform the analysis and DO NOT collect specimens directly from patients. If you would like to speak with a nurse please call 240-777-1755."
Ok...Now we can talk about Bethesda
Transit
Please only use transit if absolutely necessary for essential travel.
- Bethesda Circulator: The Bethesda Circulator has suspended its service at this time.
- For details, click here.
- Maryland Commuter Buses: As of Monday, April 6, Commuter Bus Routes have been temporarily suspended.
- MARC TRAIN: Trains are operating on an "R" schedule on all three lines, which means only trains with an "R" under the train number will operate.
- All three lines are offering additional service.
- Click here for more details.
- MetroAccess: All trips are canceled.
- Metrobus: Some buses will run on a modified Sunday schedule and/or ending service at 11:00 pm, and some routes may not be operating at all.
- Click here to see the modified Sunday schedule, as well as for a list of routes running and not running the week of March 23, 2020.
- Metrobus customers will enter and exit the bus using the REAR doors only
- Customers who require use of a wheelchair ramp will be able to use the front door.
- Metro is also temporarily suspending fare collection on Metrobus, because all farebox and SmarTrip equipment is located at the front door.
- Metrorail:Trains will operate every 20 minutes on all lines except Red Line, which will operate every 15 minutes and service on all trains will stop at 9:00 pm nightly.
- Stations serviced by multiple lines will see trains arrive every 7-10 minutes.
- Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations will remain closed until further notice to keep non-essential cherry blossom travel off the rail system at this time of national emergency.
- Starting Thursday, March 26, 2020, WMATA will be closing 17 additional Metrorail Stations in addition to the two mentioned above in order to conserve cleaning supplies, the closest closure to Bethesda being the Grosvenor-Strathmore station.
- Ride On and Ride On extRa service is reduced; Ride On Flex will not be in service.
- Ride On has further reduced service effective March 27, 2020.
- MCDOT has temporarily suspend fare collection for Ride On bus services.
- Passengers should board through the rear doors of the bus to limit close contact between passengers and drivers.
- Passengers can board through the front doors if a lift is needed to accommodate a disability or stroller.
Parking
- Curbside: To support local businesses, MCDOT is offering FREE curbside parking near some vital Downtown Bethesda businesses such as restaurants, pharmacies, and food stores to facilitate quick pick ups.
- Garage Parking: In an effort to help residents who must remain at home during this time, MCDOT is offering special free parking in the Auburn/Del Ray Garage (Garage 36) located at 4910 Auburn Avenue.
- Click here to read Montgomery County's latest press release about relaxed parking restrictions.
Restaurants, and Grocery Stores
Restaurants and businesses across the world are reeling with the chaos COVID-19 is having on their ability to pay their employees and function. As stakeholders in Downtown Bethesda, we all know that our Downtown businesses and restaurants are integral in maintaining the vitality of our city.
- Restaurants: Our parent organization, the Bethesda Urban Partnership, has compiled a list of Downtown restaurants offering carry-out and delivery. Ordering from them is a great way to show your support!
- Click here for the complete list of restaurants in Downtown Bethesda.
- Restaurants marked with three asterisks (***) are offering delivery and/or carry out services.
- MoCo Eats from Visit Montgomery is a restaurant directory dedicated to highlighting food and drink establishments' pick up, delivery, and beer and wine offerings to Montgomery County residents.
- Click here for the complete list of restaurants in Downtown Bethesda.
- Grocery Stores: Everyone has to go to the grocery store at some point, so many stores are offering special hours for senior citizens, people who are immunocompromised, and other populations who are vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19.
- Resources for Businesses: If you are a business owner and are having difficulty with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, you can find information about resources such as Small Business Disaster Assistance on this page from Montgomery County.
How Can I Help My Community?
- Volunteers wishing to serve or make donations can find opportunities with local organizations helping residents around Montgomery County by clicking here.
