The federal government officially closed its operations at midnight, as Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement on a funding package.

How long the shutdown will last remains unknown as Republicans needed at least seven Democrats in the Senate to support them in order to vote on the expenditure bill. However, its impacts are well known as it affects the funding of government activities and is likely to cause extensive disturbances for Americans and other areas such as from air travel to zoos.

The political impasse is also expected to set 40% of the federal workforce – about 800,000 people – on unpaid leave.

Problems with funding suspension have already been visible to Athens since the US embassy She announced that her official Facebook and Instagram account would not be regularly updated until the full re -resumption of functions, with the exception of emergency information on protection and security issues. At the same time, the US Embassy clarifies that “the planned issuance of passports and entry visas in the US. (visa) will continue to operate in both the United States and the US Embassies and Consulates. Abroad during the temporary interruption of funding the US government, if conditions allow. “

In detail the announcement of the US Embassy

Due to the interruption of funding and stopping the US government, this Facebook account will not be regularly updated until the complete resumption of operations, with the exception of emergency information on protection and security issues.

Scheduled Passport and Entrance Issuance Services in the US (visa) will continue to operate in both the United States and the US Embassies and Consulates. abroad during the temporary interruption of funding for the US government, if conditions allow. This account will not be updated until the full restoration of the operations, with the sole exception of the emergency announcements related to security and protection. For information on the available services and current operation status, please visit the travel.state.gov website.

Flight problems

As the days go by, the federal closure is expected to affect more and more areas. Specifically, it is expected to affect flights in various ways, possibly leading to high queues and delays due to the decision that the air traffic auditors are likely to make and instead of working for free to prefer to stay unpaid in their homes.

Air traffic control workers and the Transport Security Administration (TSA) are considered “necessary”, so they will continue to work despite Shutdown. However, they will not be paid until Shutdown expires. During the last shutdown in 2018-2019, it had been observed that more and more workers were saying sick, resulting in delays at airports.

The impact will also be felt by Americans planning to travel abroad, with US passport services warning that the processing of travel documents can take longer than usual.

Federal employees without pay

Federal employees are also expected to be more affected, as they will not receive any payroll as the shutdown continues.

Some workers may even choose to find second jobs, as they had done during previous shutdown. Employees who are not considered necessary will be forced to stay home. In the past, these workers were paid retroactively.

Several organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health, are likely to suspend many workers, affecting research and experiments already ongoing.

US President Donald Trump, who has reduced government spending and federal jobs since he took over his duties, has repeatedly warned that a shutdown could accelerate layoffs and allow him to cut off services and programs.

The contractors, who are working for federal services but are not immediately employed by the government, will also stop working.

National parks without staff

Federal land, including national parks and national forests, have been closed for visitors during previous shutdown, as rangers and other employees were invited to stay home.

However, the Trump government had then decided to leave the parks open, with few to no federal officials there to staff them. This had led to vandalism in the parks, as visitors crossed protected landscapes, looted historical sites and throwing plenty of rubbish.

A group of more than 40 former park inspectors has appealed to the White House to completely close the parks in the event of a stoppage.

“We do not leave museums openly without curators or airports without air traffic controllers – and we should not leave our national parks open without employees in the National Parks Service,” said Emily Thompson of the alliance for the protection of national parks.

Zoos

The famous museums of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington will remain open at least until next Monday, October 6th.

On the Smithsonian website, the organization said that he had money available aside to help him stay open for a while.

Animals at the National Zoo “will continue to feed and care”, according to the Smithsonian, which manages the zoo.

But the popular web cameras will be disabled, as zoo staff described them unnecessary.

Healthcare for the elderly and poor

Social welfare programs for elderly and poor, Medicare and Medicaid will continue, but staff shortages could lead to some vacations for certain services.

The provision of emergency disaster aid is also expected not to be greatly affected, but other work performed by disaster dealing will be affected.

The National Flood Insurance Program will close, delaying certain mortgage loans to real estate that requires insurance policies.

But if Shutdown continues, the Federal Emergency Management Management (FEMA) is likely to run out of money for the Disaster Response Fund.

Food aid programs will also be affected, as the supplementary nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC) is expected to run out quickly.

The Nutrition Supplementary Aid Program is expected to continue for a longer period, but its funding is also in danger.