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More people in Washington are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and some safety rules are restricted, Mayor Muriel Bowser said on Monday.
More people in Washington are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and some restrictions will soon be relaxed, Mayor Muriel Bowser said on Monday.
Some of the changes regarding vaccinations:
- People in phase 1b level 3 and phase 1c level 1, including postal workers, front-line public transport workers and court workers, as well as people aged 16 to 64 with high-risk illnesses, are eligible this week.
- As of March 29, those in Phase 1c Level 2, which includes transit workers including ride-sharing drivers, logistics workers, and media workers, will become eligible.
- As of April 12, people in Phase 1c Level 3, which includes essential college and university workers, construction and information technology workers, will become eligible.
- By May 1, Bowser said, everyone aged 16 and over and not in a previous phase will be eligible.
“Since we still have a limited supply of vaccines,” said Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, director of DC Health, eligible people may start getting appointments during the week they become eligible, “but this depends on our vaccine supply. ”
She said “we understand” that there will be enough vaccine in the United States by the end of May for every adult to actually get their dose.
You can see all the levels, and who is there, on the DC vaccination site.
Some restrictions to relax
As of Monday, DC began considering exemptions for professional sports teams to play in front of fans.
The Nationals will have fans for opening day on April 1 after Bowser’s office confirmed approval of their candidacy on Monday night. Depending on the acceptance letter, Nationals Park may have a maximum of 5000 fans, or 10% of the capacity.
DC United were the first DC professional sports team to have their request to return to Audi Field approved on Monday afternoon. About 2,000 supporters will be able to attend home games once the Major League Soccer season beings. United’s home opener against New York City FC is scheduled for April 17.
Both teams have been asked to focus on four key elements as part of their reopening plans: directing fans to their seats and out of the stadium; minimize any gathering around washrooms and other places of assembly; prioritize contactless and on-site catering services; and apply the COVID-19 protocols defined by the CDC and DC Heath, “in particular the wearing of masks and social distancing”.
Other changes to the exterior restrictions include:
- Outdoor gatherings for up to 50 people are now permitted, and low to moderate contact high school and intermediate sports may resume next week.
- Indoor fitness classes can resume with up to 10 people and outdoor up to 50. Gyms can have up to 25% capacity or up to 250 people, whichever is lower.
- Alcohol can now be sold in restaurants until midnight, and theaters can open for up to 25 people or 25%, whichever is lower.
- From March 22, restaurants can open for dining at 25% capacity or up to 250 people.
- Establishments may begin to request live entertainment exemptions; some live entertainment will begin next week, Bowser said.
In schools, Nesbitt said, the cohort is strongly encouraged to minimize the number of students and staff spending the day together. Other extracurricular activities are no longer prohibited, but it is recommended that they be moderate to provide at least 10 feet of distance between participants.
You can see all of the new rules on the DC website.
“We haven’t squashed this virus,” Bowser said. “People are still dying.”
She added, however, “There are more and more things we can do today, and there will be even more things we can do… as we move into the schedule later – assuming that our numbers continue to drop. There is hope; there are reasons to be optimistic. “
Vaccination numbers
Bowser said just over 24,000 doses will be delivered to Washington this week.
On Friday, DC sent out 14,833 invitations for 13,360 appointments and 10,879 people made appointments. Another 3,115 invitations were sent out on Monday to fill the available places.
At 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, 114,815 people pre-registered and are waiting for an appointment.
Bowser added that the new immunization invitations will be sent out on Thursday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. Further invitations will be sent out on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. if any remain.
You can register to pre-register at vaccinate.dc.gov or call 855-363-0333.
Bowser said the public health emergency has been extended until May 20.
More coronavirus news
Looking for more information? DC, Maryland and Virginia each publish more data every day. Visit their official websites here: Virginia | Maryland | DC
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