WASHINGTON, DC -- DC Mayor Muriel Bowser is extending the district’s stay-at-home order through June 8th.
The orders were originally set to expire Friday May 15th, but she says the district needs more time to slow the spread of the coronavirus. She is paying particular attention to the number of testing sites and contact tracers before deciding to reopen.
Later this afternoon, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is expected to announce his plans for reopening the state.
Under phase-one, hard-hit areas like Prince George's and Montgomery Counties will be able to delay reopening at their discretion. Officials in those two counties say they do not believe they are ready to reopen for business due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns.
Under Governor Hogan's stage one plan, many small businesses are expected to reopen and elective surgery can once again be scheduled.
In Virginia, Governor Ralph Northam issued and executive order to reopen businesses. On the heels of that announcement Potomac Mills mall has announced plans to reopen the center on May 29th. Mall officials have notified stores this week that it intends to open the doors for business on May 29th for the first time since non-essential businesses were shuttered by the coronavirus in mid-March.
Simon Property Group which owns Potomac Mills closed all of its retail locations on March 18th due to the pandemic. Shoppers will likely have a different retail experience when they return to the mall as officials are still cautioning about the use of face masks and facial coverings as well as practicing social distancing.