DC will open COVID-19 vaccine to all adults by May 1

Washington, D.C., will be able to offer its coronavirus vaccine to every eligible adult by May 1, in line with President Biden’s directive, city officials said Monday. 

To meet the new deadline, the city is accelerating opening vaccine appointments for certain essential workers, but authorities warned they are still not receiving enough doses to match the demand.

Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) said appointments will be available for District residents, as well as for essential employees who work in D.C. but live elsewhere. 

Bowser is also loosening some of the city’s COVID-19 restrictions, including limits on gatherings and entertainment. 

Restaurants will be allowed to sell alcohol until midnight, but indoor capacity will remain at 25 percent, with a maximum of 250 people. Bowser said the limits will be reassessed in April.

Outdoor gatherings can include 50 people, up from 25, while indoor events are still limited to 10 people. Indoor fitness classes will be able to resume with up to 10 people, and some high school sports will be allowed.

Health Director LaQuandra Nesbitt said high schools can also host extracurricular activities such as band and choir, but recommended 10 feet of distance during such activities, rather than 6, because singing is a major risk to spread COVID-19.

Movie theaters will also be able to reopen in the city, capped at 25 people or 25 percent capacity, whichever is lower. 

Bowser said professional sports can submit waivers to host fans after March 22, and both Major League Soccer’s D.C. United and baseball’s Washington Nationals will have their waivers approved as early as Monday.

Bowser said she would allow up to 5,000 fans for Nationals games, and “a few thousand” for D.C. United matches.