DC Lifts General Mask Mandate

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 Lifts General Mask Mandate

May 18, 2021, 10:56 AM by MSDC staff

The city still requires unvaccinated to mask, as well as allows businesses and healthcare facilities to require masks.

On Monday, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced major changes to the District's mask mandate. These changes align the District with surrounding jurisdictions.

All fully vaccinated individuals (required vaccine doses plus two weeks) are not required to wear a mask in public in the District. Exceptions include:

Healthcare settings
Public transit
Schools and childcare facilities (indoors and outdoors)
Homeless shelters
Correctional facilities
Where masking is required by a business
District government buildings

Unvaccinated individuals are still required to wear masks but the District will not be requiring proof. They do permit businesses and the outlined exceptions above to enforce their mask mandates.

In addition, the District is waiving capacity limits in most settings on Friday, May 21. The remaining business types (nightclubs, sports venues, entertainment venues, for example) can resume full capacity on June 11.

The changes generally align DC with Maryland and Virginia in terms of mask mandates. Last week those two states lifted their public masking mandates, although some Maryland counties have slowed the changes.

For District physicians, MSDC is waiting for updates to healthcare setting guidance that we have heard will be released soon. For now, you can continue requiring masking in your medical offices.

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.