People in D.C. are eating in restaurants, visiting nail salons and heading to the gym for the first time in months.
Phase two of reopening in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic started in the District on Monday. Additional restrictions have been lifted on restaurants, nonessential businesses and houses of worship, among others.
The city was ready to move to phase two after Thursday marked 14 days of a decline in community spread of the virus.
Mayor Muriel Bowser encouraged residents to continue to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.
“The virus is still circulating, not just in our city but all around the region," she said at a news conference Monday morning.
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News updates for Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia
People lined up down the block at Vida Fitness on U Street NW early Monday to get back into their fitness routines. The gym checked members' temperatures and had people work out at a safe distance from each other.
The gym is offering online classes to members who aren't comfortable returning in person yet.
As of Monday, nail salons and other personal service providers, such as tattoo parlors and tanning salons, can open to customers by appointment. Service stations must be six feet apart.
Nonessential stores can let customers inside, at 50% capacity.
Houses of worship can operate at 50% capacity or have 100 people inside, whichever is fewer.
Gyms and fitness centers can open to 5 people per 1,000 square feet of space. Classes can be held with a 10-foot distance between participants.
Summer camps can open to groups of 10 people or less. Some more child care facilities will be staffed. And you can expect libraries to slowly begin reopening.
D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation pools will be able to open for lessons and lap swimming, but not open swimming, at some point in phase two. That likely wouldn't happen until mid-July.
While the D.C. government still encourages telework, certain offices will start to bring in staff again.
In an interview with News4 on Friday, Bowser urged D.C. residents to continue to be vigilant and use caution. She said everyone should be mindful of social distancing, wash their hands, wear face masks in public and avoid large crowds.
Both Maryland and Virginia entered their second phases of reopening last week.
