D.C. residents have been advised to stay at home, now under a mayoral order, until April 24.
The news was released in a press conference as well as through Twitter and an official press release. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on April 1, the order will be in effect until at least April 24, 2020.
1/ Today, due to an increasing number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in DC and across the region and the nation, I've issued a stay-at-home order for the District of Columbia. This order reinforces my direction to residents to stay at home except to perform essential activities.
— Mayor Muriel Bowser #StayHomeDC (@MayorBowser) March 30, 2020
Bottom line, D.C. residents should plan to stay home under and leave the house only to:
- Purchase groceries or medications.
- Go to a doctor's appointment or seek medical treatment.
- Go to work if deemed essential.
For a full list of essential and non-essential businesses visit: https://t.co/eBlfkBclkY https://t.co/ESL0w6ijGy pic.twitter.com/suRuLwOhre
— Mayor Muriel Bowser #StayHomeDC (@MayorBowser) March 25, 2020
Social distancing rules are in effect, and non-essential businesses have already been temporarily shut down. This mayoral order comes at the same time that both Maryland and Virginia are enacting similar restrictions in adjacent states.
D.C. residents found violating the order may be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 or jail time up to 90 days. Additionally, any large groups of people may be asked to disperse by local law enforcement authorities. All of this is part of the ongoing fight against the spread of the highly infections coronavirus, COVID-19.
For more information about the new stay-at-home order, visit the D.C. government's website and read the order in full.
What are your thoughts about these latest developments and how they will affect D.C. residents? Have you started to see changes in our own neighborhood already? Sound off in the comments!
