DC Institutes New Phase 2 Restrictions Due To Coronavirus Surge

Michael O'Connell
Updated ·4 min read

WASHINGTON, DC — The D.C. Government is adjusting its Phase 2 guidelines with a number of new restrictions that will affect how residents gather, dine out, worship, enjoy entertainment, and exercise across the city.

D.C. entered the second stage of its phased reopening in June. This came in the aftermath of Mayor Muriel Bowser's earlier stay-at-home order, which directed district residents to stay home and many business to shut their doors to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the illness associated with the new coronavirus.

Since June, many businesses have been able to reopen with restrictions and the public has been able gather with limitations. But recent surges in COVID-19 across the country have forced many jurisdictions to halt the reopening process and even roll back some allowable activities.

"Like most of the country, we are concerned about the level of spread and we have consistently been conservative in our approach to reopening," Bowser said, during a Monday morning press briefing. "And because of that, we watched as others rolled back closer to where we've been. In other words, we have not opened our economy up at a Phase 3 level throughout our response and certainly not at a Phase 4 level."

Over the last several months, the District expanded some activities that were allowed under Phase 2 guidance. However, following an analysis of data and high-risk activity by D.C. Health, Bowser announced that the District was going to make the following adjustments to Phase 2 activities effective Wednesday:

  • All non-essential, non-retail businesses are strongly encouraged to have employees telework

  • The limitations on public gatherings have been reduced from 50 to 25 for outdoor gatherings and indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people. This applies to gatherings at people's homes as well as indoor gatherings not subject to other rules.

  • Restaurants may continue to stay open until midnight, but they must suspend alcohol sales, service, and consumption by 10 p.m. In addition, indoor restaurant capacity will be reduced from its current level of 50 percent to 25 percent on Monday, Dec. 14.

  • The District continues to encourage houses of worship to conduct virtual services. In addition, it is reducing the indoor capacity of houses of worship from 100 people to 50, or to 25 percent of capacity, whichever number is lower.

  • Gyms, private trainers, other business and recreation centers must suspend all indoor group exercise classes. Any outdoor exercise activity must be limited to 25 or fewer people.

Bowser will also be releasing a mayor's order with an updated advisory regarding high-contact sports in the District. She is also rescinding the live-entertainment pilot program, which allowed some venues to reopen on a limited basis. Venues that had obtained a waiver for live entertainment will be contacted about their ability to proceed with acts or performances that have already been booked.

"These changes are meant to flatten the curve, help us reserve hospital beds for those most in need of care, and keep our community safe during this nationwide surge," Bowser said.

D.C. Department of Health confirmed 139 new positive cases of COVID-19 on Monday. That's less than the 190 cases reported on Sunday. This brings the District's total number of positive cases to date to 20,290.

D.C. Health reported two new deaths Monday due to COVID-19. The deaths are described as a 36-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman. The total number of deaths in the District stands at 672.

According to D.C. Health, 639,461 coronavirus tests have been administered in the District, 291,028 residents have been tested, and 14,935 have been cleared from isolation.

The District currently has 49 intensive care unit beds available out of 345 total intensive care unit beds. There are currently 189 in-use ventilators and 251 available. Also, there are 48 COVID-19-positive ICU patients.

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Globally, more than 58.7 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and over 1.3 million people have died, Johns Hopkins University reported Monday morning. In the United States, more than 12.2 million people have been infected and over 256,000 people have died from COVID-19.

Total of Positive COVID-19 Cases By Age and Gender

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Total of Positive COVID-19 Cases By Ward

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Total COVID-19 Deaths By Ward

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Total of Positive COVID-19 Cases By Race

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Total of Positive COVID-19 Deaths By Race

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District residents should take the following actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

  • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if soap and water are not available.

  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

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This article originally appeared on the Washington DC Patch