Ward 3 Update:

Dear Neighbors,

Mayor Bowser announced today that she will be instituting a vaccination requirement for entry into indoor spaces that will go into effect on January 15th, 2022. Additional details will be released in the coming weeks, but what we know now is that at least a first dose vaccination will be required by January 15th and a second dose vaccination will be required by February 15th.

Indoor locations that will require proof of vaccination include restaurants, bars, nightclubs, entertainment venues, gyms, and other congregate settings. (Business owners are encouraged to post this signage outside their business come January 15th to alert customers of the new requirement for entry). There will be certain spaces that will be exempt from this requirement, such as houses of worship and grocery stores, and the basis for exemptions will be made based on the level of risk as determined by DC Health.

Proof of vaccination includes your vaccination card (either the original card, a photocopy, or photo of your card), a printed version of your immunization record from a patient portal or healthcare provider, or proof through a COVID-19 verification app, such as VaxYes or CLEAR.

As noted in yesterday's newsletter, these more stringent safety requirements are being implemented in response to the surge in local case rates. Now that we are observing around 1,200 new cases per day, the District is reporting the highest daily case rate in the country. Worse yet, while the nationwide hospitalization rate for the unvaccinated is 8x higher than those who are vaccinated, unvaccinated District residents face an even greater level of risk and are 15x more likely to be hospitalized than their vaccinated neighbors. Due to these heightened risk factors, DC Health has instituted a new policy that enables residents aged 65+ to go to the front of the line for boosters and vaccinations at all of the District's vaccination sites.

Today also marked the launch of the Test Yourself Express program where rapid antigen testing kits were distributed at libraries across the District. It is certainly both encouraging and frustrating that there were such long lines for testing kits on this first day, which is why I encourage residents to check the online Live Inventory Map when seeking a rapid antigen test. This map will note the number of tests remaining at distribution sites across the District and is updated regularly throughout the day. There is also a Live Inventory Map for the take home/drop off testing kit program (just be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page).

Regards,

Mary