District of Columbia to Rescind Mask Mandate Next Week
WASHINGTON – Mayor Muriel Bowser said Tuesday the District of Columbia will lift its indoor mask mandate on Monday, Nov. 22.
During a late morning press conference, the message from Bowser and other city officials was “we’re learning to live with COVID” and that it’s entirely possible that no community will ever have zero cases.
As a result, Bowser said, she’s decided to lift the city’s indoor mask mandate and health officials will shift to layered strategies to prevent future large-scale outbreaks.
Toward that end, Bowser encouraged anyone who has still not gotten vaccinated to do so.
She also noted that so far, only 6.7% of the city’s 5-7-year olds have gotten the short, about 3,400 children in all.
Face masks will still be required in certain circumstances. These include:
- Private businesses that want a mask requirement.
- Public transit like buses and trains, inside train stations, in airports and ride-share vehicles.
- Schools, childcare facilities and libraries.
- Congregate facilities, such as nursing homes/assisted living facilities, shelters, dorms/residences and correctional facilities.
- D.C. government buildings where there is direct interaction between employees and the public, like the DMV service center.
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