Mayor Bowser Extends Public Health Emergency
Until May 15th 
On April 27th, Mayor Muriel Bowser extended the state of emergency and public health emergency for Washington, DC through May 15, 2020. The District continues to fight the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and needs the public’s assistance to begin to #ReOpenDC safely and responsibly.

In an effort to protect vulnerable populations, the new order clarifies that face masks are required for:

  • hotel workers, guests, and visitors;
  • individuals using taxis, rideshares, private transportation providers;
  • workers and customers of food sellers; and
  • strongly encouraged for workers and individuals using public transit.

Individuals living, working, and visiting Washington, DC should continue to stay at home, only leaving for essential purposes. If leaving their residence, all individuals must continue to social distance from others not in their household and should wear face coverings if visiting essential businesses, such as grocery stores and pharmacies. Masks are not a replacement for social distancing. Non-essential businesses remain closed, and DC students will continue to learn at home.

The Mayor’s order can be found here .
DC Family and Medical Leave Act during COVID-19
In response to the public health emergency, on March 17th the Mayor signed a bill that temporarily amends DCFMLA coverage for employees working in the District of Columbia. It is important to note that Congress recently enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which requires certain employers to provide paid leave for COVID-19 related reasons. For guidance under FFCRA, see the United States Department of Labor’s website . For additional information on DCFMLA and enforcement guidance, please click here .

To ensure that everyone is staying safe during this public health emergency, Mayor Muriel Bowser has translated important COVID-19 updates in the top six languages spoken in DC: Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese. Click here for resources .
Fair Housing Resources during COVID-19

In these difficult times, we want you to know that there are extended housing protections in place so that stable housing is one less worry during this public health emergency. For more information on #COVID19 resources, visit coronavirus.dc.gov #StayHomeDC
Trait of the Month: Gender Identity & Expression

This protected trait makes it illegal to discriminate against someone based on a person's gender-related identity, behavior, appearance, expression or behavior which is different from what you are assigned at birth. For more information or to file a complaint, visit our website; ohr.dc.gov . Happy Trans Pride Month!
The State of Street Harassment in DC
In April 2020, the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights (OHR), the agency that enforces the District’s anti-discrimination laws, released the first report on the progress of implementing the Street Harassment Prevention Act (SHPA) of 2017. SHPA was groundbreaking by creating the first legal definition of street harassment in the United States and by uniquely focusing on prevention through education instead of criminalization. The District’s approach to understanding and preventing street harassment is quickly becoming a model for the country. To read the full report, click here .

Washington, DC is proud to celebrate the cultural traditions, ancestry, native languages, and unique experiences represented among the more than 30 ethnic groups in our city from Asia and the Pacific Islands. Our city is home to approximately 35,000 Asian American and Pacific Islander residents who remind us that while we all have distinct backgrounds and origins, we are bound in common purpose by the shared hopes and dreams for ourselves and our city. While we celebrate the many contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders this month, we must not forget or allow their unnecessary suffering inflicted by discrimination and harassment based on misinformation. For these reasons, and despite the challenges we face right now, I stand with all Washingtonians to lift our Asian American and Pacific Islander residents as they continue enriching our great culture and storied diversity.
Mayor Muriel Bowser, excerpt from Mayoral Proclamation – May 2020

For more information about Asian American Heritage Month celebrations in the District, visit the Mayor’s Office of Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs website at apia.dc.gov .
DC Office of Human Rights | 202.727.4559 | ohr.dc.gov
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