DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said she would order lifting of most COVID capacity restrictions on May 21, as the rate of corona virus infections continue to fall in DC.
Most restrictions on public and commercial activity, including capacity limits, types of activities, and time restrictions, will be lifted. On June 11, capacity limits and restrictions will be lifted on those venues that cannot fully reopen on May 21.
Those include bars, nightclubs, large entertainment venues and sports arenas.
Masks are still likely to be required indoors, Bowser said. Full guidance is expected to be issued by DC Health in the next 7 to 10 days.
The news comes as the District’s case rate plummets. For May 9, Mother’s Day, DC reported 15 new cases –a rate of 6 per 100,000. It has been six days since a COVID-related death has been reported by DC Health.
DC has fully vaccinated 226,566 residents, Bowser said during her news conference. The Post vaccine tracker indicates more than 51 percent of District residents have received at least one shot. Residents 16 and older can now walk up to receive the vaccine at sites throughout the District, without an appointment.
Calls to relax the District’s restrictions were being made from some residents and businesses. DCist reported early Monday that a group of concert venues had written the Mayor to ask that she lift capacity limits on locations such as the 9:30 club, the Anthem, Lincoln Theatre and Capitol One, home to Monumental Sports teams Washington Capitols and Washington Wizards.
The District now comes closer in line with COVID restrictions in surrounding states. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan lifted outdoor mask restrictions and outdoor dining capacity as of May. 1, and Virginia. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced restrictions would be eased as of May 15, and floated the possibility they could be completely lifted as of June 15.
