Mayor Bowser Issues Order Establishing Social Distancing Protocols for Food Sellers and Requirements for Farmers’ Markets to Operate During Public Health Emergency

(Washington, DC) – Today, to protect the District’s food supply chain and the District’s frontline food workers during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2020-058.

The Order states that no farmers’ market may operate unless issued a waiver. To obtain a waiver, a market manager must submit a plan to the District government at dcfoodpolicy@dc.gov to outline how they will operate and enforce social distancing protocols, and that plan must be approved.

The Order’s safety and social distance protocols apply to “Retail Food Sellers,” which include grocery stores, supermarkets, food halls, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of food.

The Order also includes several amendments to previous Orders, including removing tennis and golf as allowable recreational activities and clarifying that community gardens are open to the public.

For more information on the District’s response, visit coronavirus.dc.gov.

Mayor’s Order 2020-058 Social Distancing Protocols Required for Food Sellers and Requirements for Farmers' and Fish Market to Operate During Public Health Emergency