DC health says masks may be necessary until Thanksgiving
DC’s mask mandate which went into effect on July 31
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Washington, D.C. health officials say the indoor mask mandate, now in its second week, may be in place until Thanksgiving given the rising number of cases and stagnated vaccination rates.
Patrick Ashley, a senior deputy director of the D.C. health department, told WRC-TV that the mask mandate will likely be in effect for the weeks to come.
"We’re very hopeful that we’ll get back to normal around the holidays," Ashley said, adding: "We’re hopeful that by Thanksgiving we’ll be in a different spot, but that relies on people getting vaccinated."
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D.C. has been experiencing a steady climb in COVID cases, and on Monday reported a 7-day average of 125 new COVID cases per day. Meanwhile, vaccination rates have leveled off.
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D.C.’s mask mandate, which went into effect on July 31, requires residents over the age of 2 to wear face masks indoors, regardless of vaccination.
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The order followed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines issued the week prior that recommended those in areas of the country with "high" or "substantial" COVID-19 transmission wear masks indoors.
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On Tuesday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that all city employees and contractors and contractors – including teachers, police officers, and sanitation workers – must be fully vaccinated by Sept. 19 or take a weekly COVID test, FOX 5 reported.