Washington, D.C., will soon join other cities in requiring proof of vaccination for indoor activities.
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Wednesday that indoor locations such as gyms, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and entertainment facilities will now require proof of vaccination.
The mandate is set to go into effect at 6:00 a.m. on Jan. 15.
Those aged 12 and older will have to receive one dose of the vaccine by Jan. 15 in order to be in compliance. By Feb. 15, the requirement shifts to fully vaccinated. According to the Daily Caller, all “students in D.C. schools will need to be vaccinated by March 1”.
Grocery stores, houses of worship, retail, and museums are not included in the vaccine requirement.
Other cities like New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston have recently announced a vaccine requirement for indoor activities.
“If you are a resident who is not yet vaccinated but wants to continue to enjoy these activities, now’s the time to get vaccinated,” Bowser said.
Bowser explained that she believes “Mandates have the ability to move people who are not vaccinated to become vaccinated, and we also know that is a huge public health benefit”.
The mayor plans to sign legislation that would add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list required for D.C. public, private, parochial and charter schools. “This adds to the safety of our schools,” she said.