Mayor Bowser signed a new order on masks: Order 2020-080 Wearing of Masks in the District of Columbia To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19.

The order on masks “consolidates, clarifies, and extends requirements related to wearing masks indoors and outdoors in the District of Columbia and provides enforcement mechanisms for these requirements."

The order requires the following:

• “Persons must wear a mask in the common areas of apartments, condominiums and cooperatives”

• Anyone leaving their residence must wear a mask when likely to come within six feet of another person “for more than a fleeting time”

• Anyone driving or riding in a taxi or other form of public transportation must wear a mask.

• Businesses/office buildings/establishments open to the public must post signage on exterior doors stating “a person may not enter unless the person is wearing a mask” and anyone who tries to enter without a mask or removes their mask will be ejected.

• “Employers shall provide masks to their employees.”

Exceptions: The following are exceptions the requirement to wear a mask:

• You are a resident/guest in a private dwelling

• When eating, drinking, smoking

• No mask required if someone can’t wear a mask because of a medical condition or disability, or someone is physically unable to remove a mask.

• No mask required if “a deaf or hard of hearing person needs to read the lips of a speaker.”

• When exercising vigorously outdoors and social distancing (6 feet minimum)

• When swimming

• When you are in an enclosed office alone that no one else is allowed to enter.

It is important to always remove face coverings correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used face covering.  For more information on face masks and face coverings please click here.

Methods of Cleaning:

Washing machine

• You can include your face covering with your regular laundry.
• Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate water setting for the cloth used to make the face covering.

Washing by hand

• Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
• 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) household bleach per gallon of room temperature water or
• 4 teaspoons household bleach per quart of room temperature water

• Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection. Some bleach products, such as those designed for safe use on colored clothing, may not be suitable for disinfection. Ensure the bleach product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
• Soak the face covering in the bleach solution for 5 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with cool or room temperature water.

Make sure to completely dry cloth face covering after washing.

How to dry:

Dryer

• Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until completely dry.

Air dry

• Lay flat and allow to completely dry. If possible, place the cloth face covering in direct sunlight.