“In Response to Unhealthy Air Quality in the District, Some Non-Essential Citywide Services Will Be Suspended”

photo by Clif Burns

From the Mayor’s Office:

“This morning, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) issued a “Code Purple” air quality alert for Washington, DC for Thursday, June 8. A Code Purple air quality alert indicates very unhealthy air conditions for the entire public, not just those with respiratory illnesses. In response, Mayor Muriel Bowser has suspended several non-essential citywide services. The following services will be modified:

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has closed all DPR fields, playgrounds, and athletic courts. The weekly produce giveaway at Powell Communal Farm (3149 16th Street NW) is canceled. All outdoor activities have been canceled, including outdoor permits.

The Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) has canceled all outdoor activities at senior wellness centers and community dining sites across the
District. All sites remain open.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) closed its Inspection Station, located at 1001 Half Street SW at 11:00 a.m. Customers who planned to visit the inspection station today because their inspection stickers are expiring will be given a five-calendar day extension to renew. DC DMV’s Service Centers will remain open during normal business hours. Many of DC DMV services can be completed online or via the mobile app, allowing customers to “skip-the-trip.”

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has suspended paving and road operations for its internal crews. Contractors and utilities working on the field are following their own safety protocols and will suspend work at their own discretion. DDOT has team members who are on call to respond to any issues in the field that warrant the agency’s attention. Crossing guards will still be supporting schools, but both the guards and traffic control officers (TCOs) will be working with limited hours and will be required to wear masks.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) has noted that effective 10:00 a.m. today, household trash and recycling collection will “slide” to the next day for the remainder of the week through Saturday; for example, trash scheduled for collection today will be collected Friday, June 9.

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) may still conduct scheduled outside inspections at the discretion of the inspectors; however, inspectors will not be required to perform inspections today. Additionally, unless considered an emergency, DOEE field activities will be cancelled for today.

DC Public Schools (DCPS) has canceled outdoor activities. This includes recess, outdoor Physical Education classes, athletic practices and competitions, and any school-specific events or field trips intended for the outdoors.”