Business Capacity Increase Among Relaxation of COVID Restrictions

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DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) speaks during Monday's situational update report. Screenshot: Facebook live.

In Monday’s situational update, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced several modifications to the phase two reopening plan which are slated to be implemented May 1.

Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt spoke about updates to the District’s phase two reopening plan and the vaccine rollout.

Bowser announced modifications to relaxations on restricutions in Phase 2 of the District’s reopening plan, offering additional details on top of those announced the previous week. These include:

  • Indoor capacity for non essential retail businesses will increase from 25 percent to 50 percent.
  • The number of people who can sit together in a restaurant or bar will increase from six people to 10 people.
  • Music will be allowed outdoors in public spaces and near sidewalk cafes.
  • If customers are sitting outside, alcohol can be purchased without food.
  • Concert venues and theaters may open at 25 percent capacity (up to 500 people) with all attendees seated.
  • Movie theaters may operate at 25 percent capacity.
  • Regional conferences may resume at 25 percent capacity with a waiver required for attendance above 250.
  • Gyms and fitness centers can operate at 50 percent capacity with no more than 250 people.
  • Outdoor splash pads will be open at full capacity.
  • Places of worship may resume at 40 percent of capacity.

DCPS Graduation

The District has partnered with DC United to host DCPS graduations at Audi field (100 Potomac Ave SW). These events will be socially distanced and take place June 19-24.

Vaccine Distribution 

Starting this Saturday, DC residents will be able to visit walk-up vaccination sites without a preregistration appointment. No appointments will be needed for the high-capacity vaccination sites. The sites are as follows:

  • Arena stage (1101 6th St SW)
  • Fort Stanton Recreation Center (1812 Erie St SE)
  • Lamond Recreation Center (20 Tuckerman St NE)
  • Langdon Park Recreation Center (2901 20th St NE)
  • The Providence Health System
  • Rosedale Recreation Center (1701 Gales St NE)
  • Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (1100 Michigan Ave NE)
  • University of the District of Columbia (4200 Connecticut Ave NW)
  • The Walter E. Washington Convention Center (801 Mt Vernon Pl NW)
  • The Entertainment and Sports Arena (1100 Oak Dr SE)

These sites are to be used for the first dose appointments only. The walk-up sites will provide a scheduled time for all individuals to receive their second vaccine.

Children aged 16 and 17 can receive the vaccine through Children’s National Hospital and you can register at childrensnational.org.

Sarah Payne is a History and Neuroscience student at The University of Michigan interning with HillRag. She writes for and serves as an assistant news editor for Michigan’s student newspaper, The Michigan Daily. You can reach her at sarahp@hillrag.com.