Mayor Muriel Bowser has ordered all DC residents to “stay-at-home” and refrain from any activities that are not essential. Going out to the supermarket and pharmacy are allowed, as are some recreational activities. The order goes into effect on Wednesday, April 1st, and goes until April 24th.

Recreational activities are defined as an “outdoor activity with household members that complies with Social Distancing Requirements…” and include “walking, hiking, running, biking, dog walking, rollerblading, scootering, skateboarding, tennis, golf, gardening, and other activities where all participants comply with Social Distancing Requirements and there is no person-to-person contact.” Participants must be from your household.

Here is the official order with all the details.

Here’s the Mayor’s release…

Monday, March 30, 2020

(Washington, DC) – Today, due to an increasing number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Washington, DC and across the region and the nation, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a stay-at-home order for the District of Columbia. This order reinforces the Mayor’s direction to residents to stay at home except to perform essential activities.

“Our message remains the same: stay home,” said Mayor Bowser. “Staying at home is the best way to flatten the curve and protect yourself, your family, and our entire community from COVID-19. Many people want to know how they can help right now, and for most people this is how – by staying home.”

The Mayor’s Order specifies that residents may only leave their residences to:

engage in essential activities, including obtaining medical care that cannot be provided through telehealth and obtaining food and essential household goods;
perform or access essential governmental functions;
work at essential businesses;
engage in essential travel; or
engage in allowable recreational activities, as defined by the Mayor’s Order.

Any individual who willfully violates the stay-at-home order may be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.

For more information on the District’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, visit coronavirus.dc.gov.