“all venues doing business as nightclubs, multipurpose facilities, health clubs, health spas, massage establishments, and theaters must also suspend operations.”

A lot of folks have been asking me about the status of gyms since we learned restaurants and bars would close (with many transitioning to pick up/take out only.) ABRA sends some more guidance:

“Effective immediately, per Mayor’s Order 2020-048: Prohibition on Mass Gatherings During Public Health Emergency Coronavirus (COVID-19), all “mass gatherings” in DC are prohibited.

A mass gathering is considered any event or convening bringing together 50 or more persons at the same time in a single room or other single confined or enclosed space.

Accordingly, restaurants and taverns must cease table seating effective tonight, Monday, March 16, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. until Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 6:00 a.m. These establishments may only provide delivery and grab-and-go operations during this period.

Additionally, all venues doing business as nightclubs, multipurpose facilities, health clubs, health spas, massage establishments, and theaters must also suspend operations.

ABRA investigators will start visiting affected ABC licensed establishments this evening to educate and ensure compliance. Failure to comply may result in sanctions or penalties including license suspension and/or revocation.

While these actions are necessary to protect public health, we recognize that they will have a significant financial impact on licensees. To provide temporary financial relief and to encourage social distancing, ABRA has approved the following deadline extensions and delivery of service modifications. They include:

Deadline Extensions

Annual License Payments | Extended from March 31, 2020 to April 30, 2020.
Alcohol License Expirations | Any alcohol licenses, including ABC Manager Licenses that expire March 16-31, 2020 are now valid through April 30, 2020.
Fines | Any fines due between March 16-31, 2020 are now due April 30, 2020.”