Takeaways

Mayor Bowser extends DC’s Stay at Home Order to May 15, 2020, and the order now includes non-residents visiting or working in the District.
Retail food sellers and hotels that are still in operation face additional social distancing protocols.
Face masks are now required for employees and customers of public and private transportation, food sellers, and hotels.

Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has implemented additional restrictions in the District to combat the spread of COVID-19. Mayor’s Order 2020-058, issued April 8, 2020, adds further social distancing requirements for retail food sellers and farmer’s and fish markets. Mayor’s Order 2020-063, issued April 15, 2020, extends the previous public emergency and public health emergency orders through May 15, 2020, implements additional protocols for group facilities, and adds face covering requirements.

Mayor Bowser’s latest Order went into effect on April 17, 2020 and extends all previous Orders related to COVID-19 through May 15, 2020.

Social Distancing Protocols for Retail Food Sellers

Order 2020-058 defines “retail food sellers” as grocery stores, supermarkets, food halls, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of food. The phrase “retail food sellers” does not include restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food for delivery, carry out, or “grab and go.” However, such facilities must still adopt similar social distancing protocols and mark six-foot distances for inside and outside lines. The Order does not apply to schools, senior centers, and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public.

To protect employee and customer safety, each retail food seller must now:

  • Post a sign at the business entrance (see below for details);
  • Limit the number of customers entering the business at one time;
  • Require customers to maintain a minimum six-foot distance from others in the business and mark six foot increments in lines inside and outside the business;
  • Mark paths and require store aisles to be one-way, where possible;
  • Provide hand sanitizer or disinfecting wipes at all entry and exit ways and throughout the store;
  • Block use of payment systems or checkout counters that are less than six feet apart;
  • Require customers to fill their own reusable bags or bags provided by the business, if they are able;
  • Regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces and post these disinfecting procedures at the business’ entrance;
  • Cease use of any food or beverage self-service stations (not including whole produce); and
  • Minimize bare hand contact with any food products and provide signage encouraging customers only to touch items they plan to purchase.

The business entrance sign must instruct customers to:

  • Wear a mask or mouth covering;
  • Avoid entering if exhibiting symptoms of any transmissible infectious disease;
  • Maintain six feet of distance from non-household members;
  • Cough or sneeze away from others and into a tissue or one’s elbow or sleeve;
  • Avoid shaking hands or any unnecessary physical contact;
  • Quickly shop alone or only with household members; and
  • Use online shopping and curbside or home delivery whenever possible (businesses should include information on how to access such services on the signage)

Further, retail food sellers must implement the following for their workforce:

  • Inform all employees of applicable paid leave provisions, of social distancing protocols, and that they should not come to work if sick;
  • Check employees for symptoms before employees begin their shifts, and exclude employees with cold or flu-like symptoms (e.g. cough, fever, running nose) either before or during their shift;
  • Separate all employee work stations by at least six feet;
  • Install plexiglass or plastic dividers between customers and employees at registers if the register serves more than an average of 50 customers per day;
  • Close aisles being restocked, when possible;
  • Provide all employees who may come into close contact with others with gloves and cloth or surgical masks (at the employer’s expense), and instruct employees on safe use;
  • Require employees to notify their supervisors immediately if they or someone in their household is diagnosed with COVID-19;
  • Implement a protocol requiring employees diagnosed with COVID-19 to self-quarantine and for sanitizing affected business areas; and
  • Require employees with confirmed positive COVID-19 test results to present their supervisor with written documentation from a healthcare professional stating they are approved to return to work.

Requirements for Farmer’s Markets and Fish Markets

Order 2020-058 prohibits operation of farmer’s markets and fish markets without a waiver. To apply for a waiver, market managers must submit a plan to dcfoodpolicy@dc.gov detailing how the market will operate while enforcing social distancing protocols.

Face Covering Requirements

Mayor Bowser’s latest Order 2020-063 requires masks or mouth coverings to be worn by those who use taxis, ride-sharing vehicles, or other private transportation provider vehicles and “strongly encourages” those who use public transportation or are public transit employees to do so as well. 

Food seller, hotel, taxi, ride-sharing, and other private transportation businesses must require their employees and independent contractors to wear gloves and cloth or surgical masks. Businesses must provide such protective equipment at their own expense to their employees and independent contractors.

Social Distancing Protocols for Hotels

Under Order 2020-063, hotels must post a sign at their entrances instructing guests and visitors to:

  • Wear a mask or mouth covering;
  • Maintain six feet of distance from non-household members;
  • Cough or sneeze away from others and into a tissue or one’s elbow or sleeve; and
  • Not shake hands or engage in any other unnecessary physical contact.

Additional Restrictions and Amendments

The District’s Stay at Home Order is now applicable to non-residents who visit or work in the District. Further, playing tennis and golf are no longer “allowable recreational activities” and individuals may only utilize rooftop and courtyard spaces with household members and while practicing social distancing. However, community gardens remain open.

Enforcement

Knowing violations are subject to civil, criminal, and administrative penalties, including sanctions, fines, and summary suspension or revocation of licenses. The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and Department of Health are authorized to conduct inspections and issue notices of infractions for violations. Mayor Bowser encourages individuals to report suspected violations by calling 311.


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