[PR] Mayor Bowser Extends Stay at Home Order and Public Health Emergency Through June 8
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Mayor Directs Certain Activities to Prepare for Reopening, Issues Requirements for Masks
(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2020-066 to extend the District’s public emergency and public health emergency and continue to require individuals to stay home through June 8, 2020. The Mayor’s Order can be found here.
“The continued sacrifices by residents and businesses are saving lives and helping us get to the other side of this incredibly difficult time for our city,” said Mayor Bowser. “Together, by staying home a little longer, soon we will be able to reopen DC safely and sustainably.”
As the District continues to prepares to #ReOpenDC, the Mayor today outlined several criteria based on federal guidance that the District must meet before beginning phased reopening:
COVID-19 Case Decline
14-day sustained decrease in community spread
Transmission rate of fewer than 1.0 for three days
Testing Capacity
Ability to test the following groups: symptomatic, at-risk health care workers, essential workers, and close contacts of all new positive cases
Health Care System Capacity
Less than 80% health care capacity (without medical surge) over seven-day period
Public Health System Capacity
Contact tracing attempt of new cases within one day, and contact tracing attempt of their close contacts within two days
The Mayor ordered the District to examine several areas to prepare for eventual reopening. The Department of Parks and Recreation shall determine whether any of its outdoor facilities, including park athletic fields and dog parks, but not playgrounds, may safely open to members of the public for allowable recreational activity. In addition, the City Administrator shall develop a recommended plan for the restoration of office-based and other site-based District government operations.
The Mayor’s Order also requires the use of masks or face coverings for all individuals in the District while they are engaging in:
Essential business or minimum basic operations for nonessential businesses when other persons are present.
Essential travel if social distance cannot be maintained.
Individuals would not have to wear a mask when participating in Allowable Recreational Activities or when engaging in essential travel if they can maintain social distance. Masks continue to be required for public transit employees and operators, and for all users and operators of taxis, Transportation Network Companies, and private transportation providers. The requirement to wear masks or face coverings shall not apply to:
Children under the age of nine years old. Parents are strongly encouraged to have their children between two and nine years old wear a mask.
Individuals experiencing homelessness.
Individuals who cannot wear a mask or face covering due to a medical condition or disability, or who are unable to remove a mask without assistance
Non-essential businesses remain closed, and DC students will continue to learn at home. Large gatherings of more than 10 individuals not of the same household continue to be prohibited in the District.
For more information on the District’s response, visit coronavirus.dc.gov.