Mayor Bowser Adjusts the District of Columbia Government’s Operating Status

NOTICE: The Public Health Emergency is in effect through April 24; school and government reopen on April 27.

(Washington, DC) Mayor Muriel Bowser will adjust the District of Columbia Government’s operating status beginning Monday, March 16, through Tuesday, March 31, to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

At a media availability at 4 pm today, Mayor Bowser will discuss the following directives:

• Starting Monday, March 16, through Tuesday, March 31, the District of Columbia Government will operate under an agency-specific telework schedule, with the intent to continue to deliver essential services and to keep critical systems and services operating. Some government operations will be performed fully remotely, while other services will continue to be performed at public buildings, but under modified operations. Employees are invited to an Employee Telephone Townhall at 10 am this morning to hear more about the District of Columbia’s operating status. The District of Columbia Government plans to resume normal operations on Wednesday, April 1.
• Starting Monday, March 16, through Tuesday, March 31, DC Public Schools (DCPS) will implement distance learning. Students will not report to schools during that time.
  • Monday, March 16: Teachers and staff will report to work to plan for distance learning.
  • Tuesday, March 17 – Friday, March 20 and Monday, March 23: DCPS will take its Spring Break for students, teachers, and staff. There will no longer be a Spring Break period in April.
  • Tuesday, March 24 – Friday, March 27 and Monday, March 30 and Tuesday, March 31: Students will participate in distance learning.
  • Wednesday, April 1: Schools will resume operations.
• Charter schools are advised to conform with this directive and reopen on Tuesday, April 1; however, teacher professional development, remote learning preparation, and spring break determinations may vary by local education agency.
• The District will provide meals to students on weekdays from Monday, March 16, through Tuesday, March 31, from 10 am – 2 pm Meal sites will be posted on coronavirus.dc.gov.

DC Public Libraries will close on Monday, March 16 and will reopen on Wednesday, April 1.

When:

Friday, March 13, at 4 pm

Who:

Mayor Bowser
Administration Officials

Where:

University of the District of Columbia Community College
Multipurpose Room
801 North Capitol Street, NE
*Closest Metro Station: Union Station*

All reporters and other media interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to [email protected]. To view the event online, visit mayor.dc.gov/live or tune in on Channel 16 (DCN).