DC to close nonessential businesses

Washington, D.C., will order the closure of all nonessential businesses as the city ramps up its fight against the coronavirus outbreak. 

Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) said during a press conference Tuesday that she is instructing establishments like salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, tanning salons and services not related to emergency responses to shut down amid the crisis. The order and guidance will be released later Tuesday.

The mayor said this list of nonessential businesses is not “exhaustive,” and residents should look online for additional guidance.

“We have virtually shut down economic activity in our city in an effort to contain the spread of the virus,” she said.

The city also announced that in-person services at the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and the Department of Transportation will close, NBC Washington reported.

LIVE: Providing an update on coronavirus (COVID-19) in the District. For a stream with captions visit https://t.co/44CwI7bWqr. To learn more visit https://t.co/MEWs6uPfsI. https://t.co/WWRj3vZowm

— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) March 24, 2020

Bowser was also asked what the city would do if President Trump sought to soon lift restrictions intended to prevent the spread of coronavirus, as he has indicated he would consider given the damaging economic impact being caused. She said it is “alarming” that the president would put “the economy over saving lives.”

“Everything that we’ve done is really absent any national direction, so I think that we will continue to follow what we see on the ground in D.C.,” she responded. 

“I think it would be, based on everything I’ve read and been advised, premature to go back to normal before we’ve seen a blunting of the curve in the United States,” she added.

D.C. recorded 21 new cases Monday, bringing the total up to 137, Bowser told reporters. Two deaths have been recorded in the D.C. area thus far. 

Bowser previously extended the social distancing period last week to April 27, meaning schools will remain closed until at least April 24. The mayor had previously ordered restaurants and bars to stop in-person dining and closed gyms and movie theaters last week.