On Tuesday, October 7, 2020, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser formally announced an extension of the declaration of public health emergency in the District of Columbia through December 31, 2020.
The order, first issued on March 11, was set to expire this coming Friday, October 19, before the announcement of its extension. While D.C.’s daily case count continues to be much lower than in previous months, Tuesday’s total of 100 new cases raised concern and set the stage for Wednesday’s announcement.
Upon its initial release, the emergency declaration provided the backdrop for the District’s efforts to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the emergency declaration does not imply that D.C. is pulling back from Phase Two of the recovery. Phase Two restrictions remain in effect, with no set timetable for the beginning of Phase Three.
The mayor’s order recommends to businesses that, while they continue to work remotely, they also develop plans for a safe return to work. The plan for Mb Staffing’s corporate office remains to return approximately two weeks after the advent of Phase Three, with the likelihood of a staggered work schedule.
Also, on Tuesday, Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland renewed Maryland’s COVID-19 state of emergency, first declared on March 5 when Maryland identified their first positive cases. The governor’s order issued this renewal with an eye towards Election Day, including in the announcement the allowance of voting centers to be used “as alternate voting locations or systems’.
We ask that you please continue to abide by the terms of Phase Two and take precautions to safeguard your health and safety. Thank you for your attention.