WASHINGTON — All D.C. residents 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday, April 12 -- a week sooner than D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced earlier this week.
DC Health officials said they have made the change after sending out all of its available appointments to currently registered and eligible workforce category residents and realizing that there were more than enough appointments available.
The department states that all District residents who are seniors, essential workers or have qualifying medical conditions registered in the portal have been offered appointments through the portal -- allowing the city to move to Phase 2 for the general population starting on April 12.
The latest vaccine news from city officials comes days after Mayor Bowser lifted capacity limits for entertainment venues, special events, pools, recreational activities, retail stores, libraries and museums beginning in May.
Starting May 1, the following COVID-19 changes will go into effect for the District:
- Seated live entertainment venues will reopen, both indoors and outdoors, with a capacity limit of 25% or 500 people -- whichever is less
- Movie theaters can reopen at 25% capacity
- Live music will be allowed near outdoor restaurant seating
- Weddings and special events, business meetings and conventions can operate at 25% capacity or 250 people -- whichever is less
- Graduations will be allowed, with limits
- Non-essential retail will operate at 50% capacity indoors and outdoors
- Libraries, museums and galleries can reopen at 50%, both indoors and outdoors
- Indoor and outdoor public pools, in addition to indoor recreation centers, can reopen at 50%
- Outdoor races, such as 5K races, can resume at 50% capacity
- Outdoor splash pads can reopen at full capacity
To register online for the COVID-19 vaccine, click here. To register by phone call: 1-855-363-0333.