Dear DCBIA Community,
A short time ago, Mayor Bowser announced an extension of DC's public health and public emergencies to April 27 in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. The extension was announced after the city's first coronavirus-related death.
The extension means that DC government will continue to under an agency-specific telework schedule, continue to deliver essential services and keeping critical systems and services operating. (Use this link to see which agencies are open). DC public schools will continue distance learning. Restaurants and bars will remain closed, except for carryout and delivery, through April 24. Gatherings of 50 or more are prohibited until April 25.
Earlier today, DCBIA executive leaders discussed the current situation and measures we can suggest to the Bowser Administration and the Council of the District of Columbia to plan for the coming weeks as this rapidly changing situation evolves. We appreciate that the Bowser administration has been consistently engaged with DCBIA and the business community as this situation rapidly evolves.
To that end, we are suggesting immediate regulatory, legislative, and other measures to the government informed by the current experience of other jurisdictions to ensure essential construction activity continues through healthy, safe, and sanitary practices. We are also sharing recommendations to support health care workers and small businesses. Equally, we are focused on collecting data to assess the impacts to the development community in the coming weeks, as well as recommending policies that support a strong development pipeline to ensure the city's future economic vitality for all.
Gathering data is a critical action we can all take. If you have not done so already, please complete this small business survey by Wednesday, March 25.
Look out for a follow-up survey that will help us gather real-time data to provide to city leaders throughout the duration of this extension.
Our thoughts and gratitude are with you and the healthcare, restaurant, public safety and public works workers who are taking care of all of us during this trying time.
We will continue to update you regularly and please continue to share your thoughts and experiences with us.
Be safe and take care of each other.
Best,
CEO
CEO
issued: March 20 |