D.C. Mayor to require vaccination papers to enter any venue starting Jan. 15

Starting 6 a.m. on January 15, anyone 12-years-old and older who want to enter a restaurant, bar, sports venue, gym, nightclub, or conference center in Washington, D.C. will be required to show proof of at least one shot of any coronavirus vaccination.

Just a month later, everyone entering those same venues will need to prove they’ve received “a full initial course of vaccination,” which excludes boosters.

Most local nightclubs and performing arts venues, including the Kennedy Center and Arena Stage, have been requesting proof of full vaccination since last summer. Some locations, like the Anthem and DC9, stopped accepting negative test results instead of vaccinations.

Scores of bars and restaurants also previously asked guests to show vaccination cards prior to being seated, which had increased in popularity after Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced the vaccine requirement in late December.

According to district officials, the imposed requirements are a way to incentivize residents to get their vaccinations. The mayor’s order highlights the argument: “Vaccine requirements have resulted in more persons who were vaccine hesitant deciding to get vaccinated.”

The rule also does not change D.C.’s already instituted indoor mask mandate, which requires fully vaccinated and boosted patrons to continue wearing masks when not actively drinking or eating. 

Generally, places that do not require proof of vaccination include those where patrons are walking around most of the time, like grocery stores, bookstores, and other retail establishments, as well as places of worship.

Still, there are exceptions, such as attending a reading at a sit-down event inside a bookstore or a church concert rather than a service. Other exemptions to the vaccine proof requirement include those who are “briefly entering” a business, such as to pick up a takeout order or use the restroom.