Visitors coming to DC will be exempt from having to quarantine for 14 days if they take a COVID test before and after arriving in the city.
Mayor Bowser announced the newest travel guidelines for out-of-state visitors during a press conference on Wednesday, November 5. Starting Monday, November 9, those coming into DC from hotspot states will no longer be required to quarantine for 14 days. Instead, travelers to obtain a negative coronavirus test before traveling to DC and another after they arrive in the District.
Those coming to DC from out-of-state (Virginia and Maryland residents are exempt) must be tested within 72 hours of traveling and obtain a negative result. If they plan to remain in the city for more than three days, they must obtain another Covid test within three to five days of arriving of their arrival.
Meanwhile, DC residents returning home have the option of choosing between limiting their activities and self-monitor for 14 days upon returning or get a test around 72 hours after returning and limiting their activities until they receive a negative result.
While Bowser noted these test results won’t be necessarily required at the airport, on bridges, or roads, the new guidelines are designed to help private establishments to help manage their travelers.
“Universities, employers, hotels, hospitals, congregate care facilities, and houses of worship may ask visitors about their recent travel and may require a record of a negative COVID-19 test before allowing admittance to their facility,” states the Mayor’s Office’s most recent situational update.
The new travel advisory was spurred by the upcoming holidays according to Bowser, who said that even though DC officials were still advising to limit travel they were still expecting many to come to DC during Thanksgiving and breaking the 14-day quarantine.
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