DC Health Adds Delaware to Travel Quarantine List

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

DC Health Adds Delaware to Travel Quarantine List

Aug 24, 2020, 08:55 AM by MSDC Staff

Ahead of the Labor Day weekend, DC Health again adds Delaware to the list of states where travel from requires a 14 day quarantine.

UPDATE: WTOP and other sources are now reporting that DC Health's metrics conflict with Delaware's reporting methodology, and in fact Delaware should not have been included on the list of quarantine states. The Mayor's office and DC Health, however, have not said they will revise the list.

On Monday, Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Health announced the updated list of states requiring a 14-day quarantine period if someone travels to/from them.

The policy was first announced two weeks ago. Anyone travelling from the District to these states and returning, or visiting the District from these states, and are not travelling for essential purposes, are required to quarantine themselves for 14 days. This order includes medical personnel, and the order is backdated from the announcement date. Travel to and from Maryland and Virginia are exempted.

Notably, Delaware was again added to the quarantine list. Delaware was on the first quarantined travel list a month ago, then was removed two weeks ago. Other states added to the list include Hawaii and South Dakota. Montana and New Mexico were removed from the mandated quarantine list.

The list will be updated again on September 7. The list is based on a seven-day moving average where daily new COVID-19 cases is 10 or more per 100,000 persons.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.