DC Mayor Muriel Bowser recently announced the creation of the ReOpen DC Advisory Group. The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security will advise the Group.
The Group has 11 committees that will follow the Johns Hopkins' "Public Health Principles for a Phased Reopening during COVID-19: Guidance for Governors," in addressing issues critical to reopening the District. The Group will take a three-phase approach to reopening, including:
- Emergency Response: Where we are now
- Stabilization: Focuses on relation of restrictions, but with monitoring and quick responses to negative statistics
- Long-term Recovery: Finding a new, more resilient "normal." This likely will not start until a vaccine is widely available.
The final plan for reopening the District will include:
- Proposal for reopening DC in alignment with its values and priorities
- Recommendations for deploying the best approaches and innovations from DC residents, and from organizations and individuals around the nation and the world
- Proposal for implementing a phased reopening – with mitigation guidelines by sector – to ensure a safe and responsive process.
The District encourages businesses and residents to participate in an upcoming survey and virtual town hall meeting.
Leadership
ReOpen DC Advisory Group Chairpersons |
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Michael Chertoff, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Bush Administration) |
Susan Rice, former National Security Advisor and U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations in the Obama Administration |
ReOpen DC Advisory Group Co-Chairpersons |
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Jeffrey DeWitt, DC Chief Financial Officer |
Phil Mendelson, Chairman, Council of the District of Columbia |
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Adrian M. Fenty, former Mayor of DC |
Beverly L. Perry, Senior Advisor to Mayor Bowser |
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Nicole Lurie, former Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (DHS, Obama Administration) |
Anthony A. Williams, former Mayor of the District of Columbia |
ReOpen DC Advisory Group Committees |
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The Group's goal is to present its recommendations at some point in May. However, the Mayor has signaled her intention not to move forward with undue haste. The timing of the recommendations and the final plan will take into account the numbers of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations – and the potential for another spike in those numbers – if reopening occurs too quickly or without appropriate strategies for the various types of businesses and aspects of life in the District.
For questions or comments, contact:
Claude E. Bailey
Partner
Tel: 202.344.8057
cebailey@Venable.com