US capital to lift indoor Covid-19 mask mandate
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Washington: Residents of Washington will no longer be required to wear masks indoors as of next week, the US capital's mayor said on Tuesday as the city's coronavirus caseload levels off.
"Beginning Monday, November 22, DC will lift the current indoor mask mandate," Muriel Bowser announced on Twitter.
As per the announcement by Mayor Muriel Bowser's office, citizens can decide for their own whether to wear masks in most indoor settings.
However masks are still required in private businesses that require so, public transportation, schools and congregate housing facilities such as nursing homes and correctional facilities, as well as DC government facilities such as department of motor vehicles facilities.
"Instead of following a blanket mandate, residents, visitors, and workers will be advised to follow risk-based guidance from DC Health that accounts for current health metrics and a person's vaccination status," read the statement.
The mayor encouraged citizens of the nation's capital who are eligible for Covid-19 vaccination to get their shots immediately, adding those who are eligible to receive the booster shot should also do it as soon as possible.
One of the strictest in the nation, DC's mask mandate has been in place since July when the Delta variant caused a flareup in virus cases.
On Tuesday, the seven-day average of daily new cases per 100,000 people was 12, down 1 percent from a week earlier.