Mayor Bowser has added new restrictions to gyms, restaurants and outdoor gatherings.
On Monday, November 23, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the city would be imposing a set of tighter COVID restrictions as cases in the District continue to rise.
Most of the new adjustments on the “Phase 2” restrictions are targeted towards indoor and outdoor gatherings. Here’s the full breakdown:
- All non-essential, non-retail businesses are highly encouraged to continue with teleworking.
- The limit for outdoor gatherings, except for worship services, has been lowered from 50 to 25.
- The indoor gathering limit has also been lowered from 50 to 10 (this applies to home gatherings and as well as any
indoor gathering that is not subject to other rules, like restaurants). - Indoor services will also be reduced to 50 people or 25% capacity, whichever of these two is lower.
- Gyms, private trainers, and other businesses and recreation centers must suspend all indoor group exercise classes and all outdoor group exercise classes of 25 or more people.
- The live entertainment pilot is now temporarily suspended
- Restaurants may stay open until midnight, but alcohol sales, service and consumption (except for delivery) must stop at 10:00 p.m.
In addition to these new restrictions which will take effect on Wednesday, November 24, restaurants will also have to reduce their indoor capacity from 50% to 25% starting on Monday, December 14.
City officials are also encouraging Washingtonians not to travel during Thanksgiving and to celebrate with members of their households. For those who will be traveling or having people over to their houses, city officials asked them to observe the necessary CDC guidelines and follow DC’s travel advisory.
“We know we are asking people to make sacrifices this holiday season but it’s necessary,” Bowser said at a press conference Monday night.
For more information, check out DC’s latest coronavirus update.
See also: The National Tree Lighting Ceremony Will Take Place On December 3
[Featured image: Unsplash]