D.C. mayor orders indoor COVID mask wearing starting Saturday

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Thursday that COVID-19 masks will again be required indoors in the District, regardless of vaccination status.

The new mask order takes effect Saturday, according to WTOP news radio. The change is for those older than 2 years old. 

D.C. Health Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt said the nation's capital – like much of the rest of the country — has had an increase in the number virus-related cases, with a weekly case rate of 58.15 per 100,000 residents and a positivity rate of 3.6%.

Masks can be removed while eating or drinking inside a restaurant, as with previous mandates. But they will otherwise be required at all times.