A new coronavirus policy in Washington, D.C., has some wondering if yet another Footloose remake is underway.
The latest slate of social distancing policies in Washington, D.C., announced Wednesday includes a ban on dancing at outdoor restaurants. The policy also forbids outdoor restaurants from having a dance floor, arcade games, dart boards, or any other outdoor game and from hosting live music. The policies were put in place to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus as the city is set to begin its first phase of reopening on Friday.
The ban on dancing caught the attention of many online. The city was soon fielding comparisons to the Calvinists and the small town featured in the 1984 movie Footloose, with one Twitter user tweeting, “Help us @kevinbacon.”
DC’s rules for reopened bars and restaurants prohibit dancing and bar games, but I suppose our new Calvinist regime is the best we can hope for at the moment https://t.co/JwBKVjNCRJ
— Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) May 28, 2020
Dancing prohibited you say? https://t.co/NtFQST3Ysi pic.twitter.com/tMB4vaiJXl
— DJ Judd (@DJJudd) May 28, 2020
Help us @kevinbacon you’re our only hope. https://t.co/47kq6a350C
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) May 28, 2020
The guidance, which was authorized by the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, also includes a flurry of other mandates that must be followed, including the requirement that each alcohol purchase includes the sale of a “prepared food” order. All outdoor restaurants must close by midnight, and no live music can be performed for guests.
Restaurants in Washington, D.C., have been closed with the exception of takeout and delivery services. The newest set of policies announced by Mayor Muriel Bowser will allow outdoor dining service for the first time since the stay-at-home order went into effect in March. Indoor service is still not allowed.
