Proof Of Vaccination To Be Required At Certain DC Businesses In Mid-January

WASHINGTON, DC — People 12 and older will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter certain businesses in the District of Columbia starting in mid-January, under new rules announced Wednesday.

D.C. restaurants, bars, gyms and music venues will be required to ask patrons for proof of vaccination to enter, Mayor Muriel Bowser said. The requirement will go into effect on Jan. 15, 2022 at 6 a.m. to allow businesses time to prepare for the new policy.

The new requirement was announced as COVID-19 cases surge in the city. D.C. averaged more than 1,200 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The daily case rate was below 350 a few weeks ago.

When enforcement begins Jan. 15, patrons will only need to show proof of one shot to enter. By Feb. 15, two shots will be required for entry.

While customers of these sites will have to be vaccinated, the mayor’s order does not include employees. The mayor said she is relying on the federal requirement for employees of businesses of a certain size to be vaccinated.

Places that will be exempt from the requirement include churches, museums, grocery stores, universities and offices. But offices with large meeting spaces may have to comply with the requirement, noted Bowser, who said she will release additional details next week.

D.C. reinstated its indoor mask mandate on Tuesday. Face coverings are required in offices, gyms, stores, entertainment venues, churches and restaurants.

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