WASHINGTON, DC - DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the District will be moving into phase one of the reopening process and lifting the stay at home order on Friday May 29.
Bowser is calling phase one, “stay-at-home light,” meaning that although she is lifting several orders put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus, residents should remain vigilant when leaving their home. She is asking residents to continue to social distance, practice hand-washing hygiene, and wear face masks or coverings, and gatherings of 10 or more are still banned.
Starting Friday, nonessential retail businesses will be able to operate curbside pick-up, but customers are not allowed to enter the establishment.
Barbershops and hair salons will be able to open, but customers can only enter if they have an appointment. Bowser is limiting the salon and barbershop capacity to one customer per licensed stylist or barber, workstations will need to be six feet apart, and services are limited to hair only. Under phase one, nail salons, waxing and threading is to remain closed.
Under phase one, restaurants will be able to open for patio dining in addition to the current curbside pickup and delivery options. Diners will be limited to six people per table, and tables need to be six feet apart. For restaurants that haven’t been approved for patio dinning, the Mayor has created a task force to make special exceptions by temporarily repurposing alleys and sidewalks.
Starting Friday, parks operated by the DC government such as dog parks, golf courses, and track and fields will be unlocked. However, playgrounds, indoor recreation centers, schools, and other indoor facilities will remain closed and contact sports are still banned.
Healthcare providers will be able to provide outpatient services and surgical procedures starting Friday.