Washington, D.C. Mayor Announces Most COVID-19 Capacity Restrictions Will Be Lifted On May 21 And People Can Dance Again

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser announced on Monday that most capacity restrictions inside the District will be lifted on May 21, with the remaining restrictions lifted on June 11.

NBC Washington reported: “Capacity restrictions on restaurants, non-essential stores, places of worship, office spaces, schools and several other types of sites will be lifted on May 21. Bars and nightclubs will be able to operate at 50% capacity starting then.”

Bowser’s announcement comes just a week after she suddenly banned dancing at wedding receptions due to COVID-19, The Daily Wire’s Tim Pearce previously reported. The mayor received a strong backlash for the decision, but defended her decision in an interview with CNN by suggesting the real story be about the fact that people can have weddings in D.C. again, The Daily Wire’s Ryan Saavedra reported.

Bowser said Monday morning the restrictions will be lifted because “We are seeing dramatic improvements in our health metrics” in the District. NBC Washington reported that beginning on May 21, capacity restrictions will be lifted for:

• Restaurants 
• Weddings and special events 
• Business meetings and seated conventions 
• Places of worship 
• Non-essential retail 
• Personal services 
• Private at-home gatherings
• Libraries, museums and galleries 
• Recreation centers 
• Gyms and fitness centers 
• Pools 
• Office space 
• Schools 
• Child care 

On that same day, bars and nightclubs will be able to operate at 50% capacity while large sports and entertainment venues continue to use the city’s waiver process. Beginning on June 11, bars, nightclubs, and the large venues will have their capacity restrictions lifted.

“Bowser said that by June 7, up to 50% of D.C. government employees will return to work in their offices. By July 12, all employees will be required to be back at work,” NBC Washington reported. “The mayor asked anyone who lives, works or visits D.C. to get vaccinated and continue to wear a mask.”

The announcement also means that dancing will again be allowed at weddings. Bowser said Monday that the District’s rapidly declining coronavirus case rates led to the quick change to restrictions.

More from NBC Washington:

D.C. Health Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt said she was happy to share good news with residents after having to make tough recommendations for more than a year. 

Still, she said, “We need people to remain vigilant.”

D.C. sports teams hailed the news and said they were excited to welcome everyone back to the stands.

Capital One Arena, which hosts the Capitals and Wizards, will increase its capacity to 25% beginning May 14. Starting June 11, the arena will be at full capacity.

“We are thrilled to have the best fans in sports together with us again to see these excellent teams chase championships,” said Ted Leonsis, CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, which owns and operates the arena.

Prior to the latest announcement, sports and entertainment venues were provided waivers to increase their seating capacity while small businesses had to wait. Bowser also proposed that outdoor dining, which she called “streeteries,” would remain in operation for at least two years.

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