Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) is sharing plans to lift some pandemic restrictions for the city.
“We’re in a much better place now to announce adjustments to that winter action plan,” Bowser said during a press conference Monday as she shared the news that indoor mask mandates will be “dialed back” starting on Mar. 1.
She continued to explain that masks will not be required in restaurants, bars, sports arenas, gyms, businesses, grocery stores, pharmacies, retail establishments, city government offices “with no public interaction,” houses of worship or entertainment venues.
However, the mandate will still apply for schools, libraries, childcare facilities, nursing homes, shelters, corrections facilities, healthcare facilities, public transportation, and city government facilities “with direct interaction between employees and the public.”
Watch the video below:
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announces changes to COVID policy:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 14, 2022
– Indoor mask requirements are being dropped on March 1st, excluding schools
– The vaccine mandate for indoor venues is being dropped tomorrow, February 15th pic.twitter.com/KdgJydCHTm
Additionally, the city will drop its mandate that indoor venues require patrons to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 on Feb. 15.
However, she added that businesses can keep vaccination in place if they so choose with “appropriate signage.”
Bowser’s announcement comes as several states have announced timelines for when they would drop indoor mask mandates — though several have said they will keep mask-wearing requirements in place for schools.
During an interview with NBC News, Biden was asked if governors were wrong to lift mask mandates.
“It’s hard to say whether they’re wrong,” he responded. “The science is saying now that masks work, masks make a difference.”
Biden added, “I think it’s probably premature, but it’s a tough call.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky pushed back on the idea of dropping mask mandates in schools or areas with high or substantial levels of transmission. ABC News notes that about 99% of counties in the U.S. have high levels of transmission of the virus.
Still, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee (D) announced plans to lift mask requirements as he said, “We know that as a state and a country, we have to learn how to manage COVID, as we move from a pandemic to an endemic stage of the virus.”
