December 22, 2021

Ward 3 Update:

Dear Neighbors,

Mayor Bowser announced today that she will be instituting a vaccination
requirement for entry into indoor spaces that will go into effect on
January 15th, 2022. Additional details will be released in the coming
weeks, but what we know now is that at least a first dose vaccination will
be required by January 15th and a second dose vaccination will be required
by February 15th.

Indoor locations that will require proof of vaccination include
restaurants, bars, nightclubs, entertainment venues, gyms, and other
congregate settings. (Business owners are encouraged to post this
[1]signage outside their business come January 15th to alert customers of
the new requirement for entry). There will be certain spaces that will be
exempt from this requirement, such as houses of worship and grocery stores,
and the basis for exemptions will be made based on the level of risk as
determined by DC Health.

Proof of vaccination includes your vaccination card (either the original
card, a photocopy, or photo of your card), a printed version of your
immunization record from a patient portal or healthcare provider, or proof
through a COVID-19 verification app, such as [2]VaxYes or [3]CLEAR.

As noted in yesterday's [4]newsletter, these more stringent safety
requirements are being implemented in response to the surge in local case
rates. Now that we are observing around 1,200 new cases per day, the
District is reporting the highest daily case rate in the country. Worse
yet, while the nationwide hospitalization rate for the unvaccinated is 8x
higher than those who are vaccinated, unvaccinated District residents face
an even greater level of risk and are 15x more likely to be hospitalized
than their vaccinated neighbors. Due to these heightened risk factors, DC
Health has instituted a new policy that enables residents aged 65+ to go to
the front of the line for boosters and vaccinations at all of the
District's vaccination sites.

Today also marked the launch of the [5]Test Yourself Express program where
rapid antigen testing kits were distributed at libraries across the
District. It is certainly both encouraging and frustrating that there were
such long lines for testing kits on this first day, which is why I
encourage residents to check the online [6]Live Inventory Map when seeking
a rapid antigen test. This map will note the number of tests remaining at
distribution sites across the District and is updated regularly throughout
the day. There is also a [7]Live Inventory Map for the take home/drop off
testing kit program (just be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page).

Regards,

Mary

Our Office is Open!

Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is
closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are
teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.

You may continue to reach us via [8]email or phone through our main line at
(202) 724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent
services requests.

[9]Facebook [10]Twitter [11]marycheh.com

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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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