People arriving in the nation’s capital from areas of the country where the coronavirus is spiking will be required to isolate as part of a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser made the announcement on Friday during a press conference, saying that all visitors from hot spots who are not in the city on essential business trips will be required to isolate for two weeks upon entry.
“We know, unfortunately, there are states that are seeing significant spikes in new cases,” Bowser said. “We know there are places where people are not being as cautious or making the sacrifices we are making here in Washington, D.C.”
The decision comes as the number of coronavirus cases continues to spike in areas of the country such as Florida and California, where health officials have struggled to contain the disease.
Bowser did not explain how the quarantine will be enforced throughout the city but suggested that residents “monitor their activities and do what is right for their neighbors and the district.” Although new cases in the city remain well below hot spot areas throughout the country, the mayor has ordered new lockdown measures, including punishing those over the age of three who fail to wear a mask in public with a $1,000 fine.
Returning college students will also be required to undergo a two-week lockdown if they are traveling from areas of the country where the coronavirus is spiking.
