D.C. to Loosen COVID Restrictions May 1
By • April 5, 2021 One Comment 7097
Mayor Muriel Bowser, along with District Council Chair Phil Mendelson and DC Health Director LaQuandra Nesbitt, M.D., held a press conference on April 5.
Among other topics, the mayor issued new guidance on social restrictions due to the yearlong pandemic, which are expected to go into effect on May 1.
This week, the vaccine clinic at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center will expand through a partnership with Safeway. Appointment invitations will be sent on April 6. On Friday, April 9, a new high-capacity vaccination site will open at Arena Stage. The site will be operated in partnership with DC Health and MedStar Health. Appointments will be made through vaccinate.dc.gov and the District’s call center.
As D.C. continues to increase vaccination rates, the following activities will reopen or dial up beginning on May 1, according to Mayor Bowser and DC Health.
Entertainment
Seated live entertainment (i.e., theater) will be allowed indoors and outdoors at 25-percent capacity (up to 500 people).
Movie theaters will be able to operate at 25-percent capacity.
Live music will be allowed near outdoor restaurant seating.
Ceremonies and Meetings
Weddings, special events, etc., will be allowed indoors and outdoors at 25-percent capacity (with a waiver for attendance greater than 250).
School graduations and awards ceremonies will be allowed indoors and outdoors with capacity limits. Further guidance will be released this week.
Regional business meetings and seated conventions will be allowed indoors and outdoors at 25-percent capacity (with a waiver for attendance greater than 250).
Fitness and Pools
Outdoor races will be allowed at 50-percent capacity.
Indoor and outdoor public pools will be allowed to open at 50-percent capacity.
Outdoor splash pads will be allowed to open at full capacity.
Recreation, Retail, Libraries and Museums
Recreation centers will be able to operate indoors at 50-percent capacity.
Libraries will be able to operate at 50-percent capacity.
Museums, galleries and exhibits will be able to operate indoors and outdoors at 50-percent capacity.
Nonessential retail, indoors and outdoors, will be able to operate at 50-percent capacity.
When will the mask and social distance mandates be lifted in DC