Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Friday a second round of personal protective equipment (PPE) care packages that will be provided to businesses around the city as they struggle amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our businesses have been resilient throughout this pandemic. These PPE care packages are one more way we hope to support our local businesses and protect their employees as they continue to serve our residents,” Mayor Bowser said in a statement.
An extra $1.7 million has been invested by the Bowser administration for the second round of PPE care packages for businesses.
The free PPE care packages contain face masks, hand sanitizers, disinfectant and sanitizer wipes, hand towels, and surgical gowns.
“Our local businesses continue to persevere through these challenging times and our hope is that this personal protection equipment will remove a burden as we move closer to the other side of this pandemic,” Deputy Mayor Falcicchio said about the move.
PPE distribution sites will open in Anacostia at Maple View Flats (2228 Martin Luther King Avenue, Southeast) and at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The centers will be open on February 18, from 9 am – 4 pm; February 19, 9 am – 7 pm; and February 20, 9 am – 2 pm.
Businesses need to fill out a form — which will be available on Saturday, February 13 — to sign up for receiving the PPE package. More information can be found at coronavirus.dc.gov/phasetwo.
In addition, the DC government’s investments through the DC Local Equity, Access and Preservation Funds (DC LEAF) program aim at boosting local businesses in overlooked neighborhoods “by increasing access to healthy food options, stimulating manufacturing, and promoting real estate development projects that will create more opportunities for residents,” according to Bowser’s statement.
Business owners are encouraged to apply for DC LEAF.
