CLOSING CALLS
As the coronavirus pandemic hits hard, D.C.’s bar and restaurant industry closes its doors to help combat the spread. By John Riley
LITTLE PERFECT STOCK
M
OVIE THEATERS, GYMS, SPAS, MASSAGE PARlors — all have been directed to shut down. Restaurants and taverns can only serve takeout and delivery. Nightclubs are shuttered. It was all part of a progressive series of orders from Mayor Muriel Bowser, that started on Friday, March 13. Washington, D.C. is, effectively, in hibernation. The order arrived as Bowser attempted to take extra-tough measures to discourage residents from carousing in public, in
the hopes that social distancing will reduce the rapid spread of the Coronavirus that causes COVID-19. “There is, of course, a lot more that we need to learn about COVID-19, but one thing we do know is that social distancing can mitigate the spread of the virus,” Bowser said at a press conference Monday afternoon. “At the moment, social distancing is our main tool.” Effective at 10 p.m. on Monday, all licensed restaurants and taverns were only allowed to offer carry-out or food delivery MARCH 19, 2020 • WWW.METROWEEKLY.COM
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