DC Mayor Orders Further Lockdown of City

On March 24th, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser further directed that all “non-essential businesses” in the District must close beginning March 25th at 10:00pm and remain closed through April 24th.

These Businesses Must Close

• Door to door sales businesses;

• Gyms, health clubs, spas, and massage parlors;

• Hair salons, barbers, tanning salons, tattoo parlors, and nail salons;

• Retail clothing stores;

• Theaters, auditoriums, and night clubs;

• Tour guides and tour services;

• Restaurants, cafes, coffee/team shops, bars, and other food service establishments, except those businesses offering delivery, grab-and-go, and carryout; and

• Professional service businesses who are not servicing “essential services” businesses or “essential government services” in the District.

Essential Businesses that Can Remain Open

• Automotive repair and automotive supply stores;

• Banks and credit unions;

• Bicycle sales and bicycle repair shops;

• Childcare facilities;

• Grocery stores, supermarkets, licensed farmers markets, convenience stores, and food retailers;

• Liquor stores;

• Hospitals, clinics, dentists, and pharmacies;

• Veterinarians and animal care service providers;

• Essential infrastructure businesses (e.g., power, electric, internet, roads, etc.)

• Laundromats and dry cleaners;

• Restaurants (but only for delivery, grab-n-go, or takeout);

• Food or shelter businesses servicing the economically disadvantaged;

• Educational institutions (but only for remote or distance learning);

• Mail, package, and shipping businesses;

• Bicycle sales and repair shops;

• Professional services businesses (but only to service needs of “essential services” or “essential government services” businesses);

• Housing and residential living facilities; including animal shelters;

• Businesses performing “essential government functions” (e.g., first responders, law enforcement, judicial, and election functions); and

• Construction and trade businesses (e.g., plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc.).

While the above businesses may remain open, there is still in place a restriction on a gathering of ten (10) people or less, so some businesses will have to operate with a “skeleton” staff.