Washington, DC Reopening Status – as of May 10, 2021

COVID-19 Situational Update | May 10, 2021

COVID-19 Situational Update | May 10, 2021

Washington, DC Reopening Status – as of May 10, 2021

Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for Washington, DC, is working in coordination with local officials and industry partners including the government of the District of Columbia, the U.S. Travel Association, Events DC, the Hotel Association of Washington, DC and Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, in line with guidance from the CDC to communicate current information and best practices.

Washington, DC’s Reopening Plan

  • On Friday, May 21, restrictions on public and commercial activity, including capacity limits and types of activities will be lifted for most activities, including at meetings and seated conventions, weddings and special events, museums, restaurants and retail.
  • Starting June 11, capacity restrictions will be lifted at bars, nightclubs, and large sports and entertainment venues.
  • From May 21-June 11, bars and nightclubs may operate at 50% capacity, and waivers are necessary at large sports and entertainment venues.
  • Residents and visitors are required to follow the CDC’s mask guidance. DC’s guidance for fully vaccinated people is here.
  • From May 10-20, DC is in Phase 2 of reopening, with guidance detailed below.  

DC’s Phase Two Status from May 10-May 20:

  • Phase 2 guidance is online at coronavirus.dc.gov/phasetwo. The public health emergency is in effect through May 20, 2021. 
  • Mask Guidance (May 1): Masks are required on public transportation. Unvaccinated people are required to wear a mask when leaving their residence and likely to come within 6 feet of others.
  • Regional business meetings and conventions may take place indoors and outdoors at 25% capacity, with city waivers required for more than 250 people. Attendees must remain seated and socially distanced.
  • Indoor dining remains allowed at 25% capacity or up to 250 people.
  • Museums, galleries, and exhibits will be able to operate at indoors and outdoors at 50% capacity
  • Non-essential retail indoors and outdoors will be able to operate at 50% capacity (250 people max)
  • Seated live entertainment (i.e. theater) will be allowed at 25% capacity (up to 500 people)
  • Sports: field permits will be issued for spring seasons, and professional sports may operate pursuant to a waiver. Anticipated capacity is for 10,000 fans at Nationals Park; 5,000 at Audi Field; 2,100 at Capital One Arena and 450 at the Entertainment and Sports Arena.
  • Outdoor races will be allowed at 50% capacity (i.e. 5Ks)
  • Weddings and special events will be allowed indoors and outdoors at 25% capacity (with a waiver for attendance greater than 250). Attendees must remain seated and socially distanced.
  • School graduations and awards ceremonies are allowed indoors and outdoors with capacity limits.
  • Live music will be allowed near outdoor restaurant seating
  • Libraries may operate at 50% capacity
  • Recreation centers may operate indoors 50% capacity
  • Movie theaters may operate at 25% capacity
  • Indoor and outdoor public pools may open at 50% capacity
  • Outdoor splash pads are open at full capacity
  • Phase 2 guidance is online at coronavirus.dc.gov/phasetwo. The public health emergency is in effect through May 20, 2021. 

DC Travel & Testing Requirements (UPDATED May 7, 2021)

Fully Vaccinated DC Residents and Visitors (May 1, 2021) may:

Unvaccinated Travelers

  • You don’t need a COVID-19 test if:
    • Traveling from Maryland and Virginia or a low-risk area (as of May 2, low-risk areas are: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Guam, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Northern Mariana Islands or Virgin Islands).
    • You’re in DC less than 24 hours.
  • A COVID-19 test is required if:
    • Traveling from a high-risk area or visiting for more than a day (must test negative within 72 hours of visiting)
    • If you’re in DC for more than 3 days, limit activities and take a second test in DC 3-5 days after your arrival.
  • To know: 
    • There are testing/quarantine exceptions if you’re on essential travel or if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days AND do not have any symptoms.
    • Private institutions and local government officials may ask for proof of a negative test, so visitors should travel with their vaccination card.

Reopening Metrics - coronavirus.dc.gov/page/reopening-metrics

  • The timing of when it is safe to relax certain social (physical) distancing policies will be determined in part by criteria from DC Health (community spread, health system capacity, public health system capacity and community engagement)
  • A color-coded table online has an update on DC’s status.
  • Visit coronavirus.dc.gov for additional updates including guidance for the general public.

Additional Status Updates

washington.org

Destination DC regularly updates washington.org with the latest information on DC’s travel status and prominently shares safety protocols with consumers. The website is a resource for what how people can safely experience the city right now, from knowing which museums are open to ordering takeout and delivery. Content includes:

CDC Guidance for Vaccinated Individuals

Fully vaccinated people may:

  • Resume domestic travel and do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel. They do not need to get tested before leaving the U.S. (unless required by the destination) or self-quarantine after arriving back in the U.S.
  • Travel internationally without a pre-test, depending on the destination’s requirements, and travel internationally without quarantining after travel (though should get a COVID test 3-5 days following the return to the U.S.)
  • Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
  • Gather outdoors without wearing a mask except in certain crowded settings and venues.
  • Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
  • Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic

Precautions fully vaccinated people should still follow include:

  • Wear masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk
  • Wear masks, maintain physical distance, and practice other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households
  • Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings

National Travel Recommendations:

Industry/Meetings Resources:

National/International Resources: