US: Certain COVID-19 restrictions in Washington, DC, extended until Jan. 22 /update 19

Officials in Washington, DC, US, extend certain coronavirus disease restrictions until Jan. 22 due to presidential inauguration.

Event

Authorities in the District of Columbia have issued orders to extend certain restrictions until at least Jan. 22 to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), particularly in view of the upcoming Jan. 22 US Presidential Inauguration. The directive extends the ban on restaurants offering indoor services, as well as the closure of museums and libraries. These restrictions were originally set to expire Jan. 15. Restaurants may continue offering outdoor dining, along with delivery and pickup services; however, they must close nightly by 2359. On-premises sales and consumption of alcohol must end by 2200. Libraries can continue operating for pick-up and drop-off services.

All other restrictions remain unchanged. Houses of worship, as well as gyms and fitness centers, may open indoors at 25-percent capacity or a maximum of 250 people, whichever is fewer. Recreation centers, such as bowling alleys and skating rinks, may open at 25-percent capacity, with a maximum of 25 people per room and no more than 250 people within the facility.

High-contact sports, including basketball, football, hockey, and soccer remain banned. High school sports activities and competitions have been suspended; recreation centers and sports clubs have been closed. Indoor gatherings of more than 10 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited. Live event venues must cancel all presentations. Personal care businesses can continue operating by appointment only. Businesses that can have employees working from home must do so.

Additionally, travel restrictions remain in place. All visitors must take a COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to their arrival in Washington, DC; if the test is positive, they should not travel. If the test is negative, visitors can enter the District but must take a second COVID-19 test 3-5 days following their arrival. Private institutions may require visitors to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Persons traveling from Maryland or Virginia, as well as essential workers or individuals visiting the city for shorter than 24 hours, are exempt. Residents of the District of Columbia returning from travel must limit their activities and self-monitor their health for 14 days, or until they obtain a negative COVID-19 test 3-5 days after their return.

Local authorities have also asked out-of-town residents not to visit the District of Columbia for the Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20.

Authorities continue to urge residents to stay at least 1.8 meters (6 feet) away from persons who do not reside in their household and have also ordered residents over the age of two to wear protective face coverings whenever they are in public and may come in close proximity to others.

All businesses must implement enhanced sanitation procedures and social-distancing measures, among other special processes aimed at preventing any upswing in COVID-19 activity. All businesses must have employees work from home whenever possible.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.