More DC populations, including court staff, local government workers, public transit and food service employees are now eligible for the coronavirus vaccine.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the expansion on Monday, along with the decision to lift a number of restrictions related to the pandemic.
Starting the week of March 15, all essential workers in Phase 1B Tier 3 and Phase 1C Tier 1 have become eligible to receive the vaccine. The newly eligible groups include:
- Staff working in Courts and Individuals Providing Legal Services
- Frontline employees of public (mass) transit
- Employees of the U.S. Postal Service
- Staff working in food service
- Essential employees in local government agencies
- Essential employees of public utilities
- Essential employees in health, human, and social services organizations/agencies who were not vaccinated as outreach workers
- Individuals working in commercial and residential property maintenance and environmental services
On March 29, all essential workers in Phase 1C Tier 2 will become eligible:
- Individuals working in non-public transit transportation services (i.e. for hire vehicles, ride share)
- Individuals working in logistics/delivery/courier services
- Essential employees working in media and mass communications
On April 12, all essential workers in Phase 1C Tier 3 will become eligible:
- All essential employees of institutions of higher education (i.e. colleges, universities, trade schools)
- Individuals working in construction
- All essential employees working in information technology
- Essential employees in federal government agencies
- Individuals working in commercial and residential property management
DC will begin Phase 2 on May 1, and all residents who are 16 years old and older — and not included in previous phases — will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the new update, outdoor gatherings will be permitted to be attended by up to 50 people beginning March 22.
Restaurants will be able to provide indoor dining at 25 percent of their capacity or up to 250 people as of March 22. They can sell alcohol until midnight. Tables must be placed six feet apart and there can be up to six people seated at each table. Standing at a bar area is forbidden.
Professional sports may operate if they provide a waiver with plans for fans. Professional sports teams can re-apply to play and to host fans on March 22.
Some high school sports can resume under DCSAA guidelines as of March 15. Field permits will be issued for spring seasons.
Indoor group fitness classes may resume with up to 10 people. Gyms may operate at 25 percent capacity (or up to 250 people, whichever is lower) with six feet physical distancing. Outdoor fitness classes are allowed to have up to 50 people.
The Bowser administration is planning to reassess the city’s COVID-19-related restrictions as part of a check-in in April.
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