On March 24th, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser further directed that all “non-essential businesses” in the District must close beginning March 25th at 10:00pm and remain closed through April 24th.
These Businesses Must Close
- Door to door sales businesses;
- Gyms, health clubs, spas, and massage parlors;
- Hair salons, barbers, tanning salons, tattoo parlors, and nail salons;
- Retail clothing stores;
- Theaters, auditoriums, and night clubs;
- Tour guides and tour services;
- Restaurants, cafes, coffee/team shops, bars, and other food service establishments, except those businesses offering delivery, grab-and-go, and carryout; and
- Professional service businesses who are not servicing “essential services” businesses or “essential government services” in the District.
Essential Businesses that Can Remain Open
- Automotive repair and automotive supply stores;
- Banks and credit unions;
- Bicycle sales and bicycle repair shops;
- Childcare facilities;
- Grocery stores, supermarkets, licensed farmers markets, convenience stores, and food retailers;
- Liquor stores;
- Hospitals, clinics, dentists, and pharmacies;
- Veterinarians and animal care service providers;
- Essential infrastructure businesses (e.g., power, electric, internet, roads, etc.)
- Laundromats and dry cleaners;
- Restaurants (but only for delivery, grab-n-go, or takeout);
- Food or shelter businesses servicing the economically disadvantaged;
- Educational institutions (but only for remote or distance learning);
- Mail, package, and shipping businesses;
- Bicycle sales and repair shops;
- Professional services businesses (but only to service needs of “essential services” or “essential government services” businesses);
- Housing and residential living facilities; including animal shelters;
- Businesses performing “essential government functions” (e.g., first responders, law enforcement, judicial, and election functions); and
- Construction and trade businesses (e.g., plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc.).
While the above businesses may remain open, there is still in place a restriction on a gathering of ten (10) people or less, so some businesses will have to operate with a “skeleton” staff.