D.C. lifts indoor vaccine mandate, mask mandate to follow March 1


Washington D.C., lifted its short-lived indoor vaccine mandate on Tuesday and plans to lift its mask mandate on March 1, Axios reports.
The vaccine mandate, which took effect on Jan. 15, required "all patrons aged 12 or older to show proof that they have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they are allowed entry" to bars, restaurants, sporting venues, convention centers, and other establishments. Gym patrons had to remain masked even on treadmills.
The requirement was scheduled to increase to two doses on Feb. 15. Instead, it was dropped altogether.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The return to pre-COVID normalcy is not total, however. According to Axios, even after March 1, "masks will still be required in some places, including schools … nursing facilities, childcare facilities, and libraries."
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser made the decision after concluding the city is in "a much better place" than it was during the height of the Omicron variant spike. Case numbers are down 42 percent since the beginning of February and have almost returned to pre-Omicron levels, per Axios.
Bowser is not the only Democrat rolling back COVID restrictions. Earlier this month, the Democratic governors of Colorado, New Jersey, and New York all dropped their states' mask mandates.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Sudan's civil war two years on: is there any hope for peace?
Today's Big Question Very small chance of significant breakthrough at London talks today as the warring factions are not included
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Mark Zuckerberg on trial: the Meta monopoly case
The Explainer Court ruling could break up the social media giant but will Trump intervene on Meta's behalf?
By The Week UK
-
The UK's best fishing spots
The Week Recommends Beautiful British rivers and lakes for anglers of all levels
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK
-
RFK Jr. visits Texas as 2nd child dies from measles
Speed Read An outbreak of the vaccine-preventable disease continues to grow following a decade of no recorded US measles deaths
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Shingles vaccine cuts dementia risk, study finds
Speed Read Getting vaccinated appears to significantly reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Measles outbreak spreads, as does RFK Jr.'s influence
Speed Read The outbreak centered in Texas has grown to at least three states and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is promoting unproven treatments
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Five years on: How Covid changed everything
Feature We seem to have collectively forgotten Covid’s horrors, but they have completely reshaped politics
By The Week US
-
RFK Jr. offers alternative remedies as measles spreads
Speed Read Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. makes unsupported claims about containing the spread as vaccine skepticism grows
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Texas outbreak brings 1st US measles death since 2015
Speed read The outbreak is concentrated in a 'close-knit, undervaccinated' Mennonite community in rural Gaines County
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Mystery illness spreading in Congo rapidly kills dozens
Speed Read The World Health Organization said 53 people have died in an outbreak that originated in a village where three children ate a bat carcass
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Ozempic can curb alcohol cravings, study finds
Speed read Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may also be helpful in limiting alcohol consumption
By Peter Weber, The Week US