District of Columbia Resource Guide

The following is a list of resources and vital information related the District of Columbia Coronavirus Response Efforts as related to your DC based restaurant. This list of resource links will continue to be updated with new information as it becomes available. 

Where D.C. Is In Terms of ReOpening

In DC reopening, Friday June 11th is the last milestone to go. We have reached that milestone. That date marks the lifting of all remaining Covid restrictions on capacity for nightclubs, large sports and entertainment venues. As a reminder, if your establishment is keeping mask requirements in place, make sure you are publicly posting that where all who are entering the business or maneuvering within can see and know to adhere to your policy. And on vaccination, while it seems like so many in our industry have already been vaccinated, there are certainly some who may be wanting to return to work now but still need to get a shot. If you have staff, or potential hires, who are still seeking vaccines, RAMW’s partnership with UBER remains in effect through the Summer, offering restaurant employees ride credits to and from vaccine sites. As many mass vaccination sites are closing at this point, UBER can add addresses specific to an employee’s doctor, clinic, or preferred vaccine site. Click here to sign up as an employer. Email us at info@ramw.org to add a location.  

DC Legislative Updates

The DC ABC Board voted unanimously to end the requirement that bars, restaurants, and nightclubs must provide a reservation system and collect contract tracing information. This is currently effective as of Friday, June 11 as all remaining capacity and service limits end for nightclubs, sporting venues, and large entertainment venues. Businesses can choose to maintain their reservation-only systems or continue to collect patrons’ information for contact tracing purposes, but will no longer be required to do so under DC’s emergency order. 

The Council extended the authority of the Mayor to extend the Public Health Emergency to July 25, at the latest. The Mayor has indicated that she will in fact extend it to accommodate administrative needs and the ability to receive and utilize Federal relief funds. She has not yet said if she will extend it all the way to July 25th, however. 

In DC, ABRA announced that the agency decided to extend the payment deadlines for select alcohol licensees financially impacted by the restrictions implemented to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

• Second annual license fee payments for Retailer CN licenses, for licensure period October 1, 2019-September 30, 2022, are modified. Now, both the second and third annual fee payments are due on 9/30/21. The original deadline for the second payment was 9/30/20. The deadline for the third payment remains unchanged.

• Third and final license fee payments for the licensure period April 1, 2019-March 31, 2022 now have an official modified payment deadline of 9/30/21. The original deadline was 3/30/21. This applies to the following licenses: Retailer CR/DR, Retailer CH/DH, Multipurpose facility CX/DX, Common Carrier CX/DX, Retailer, Arena CX, Club CX/DX, Caterer. 

• The deadline for registered on-premises alcohol licensees to obtain an alcohol carry-out and delivery endorsement is now 9/30/21. Additionally, any alcohol establishment that has been approved for a Games of Skill Endorsement by the ABC Board must also secure a Game of Skill Retailer License from the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) to be able to continue operating the machines on-premises. The deadline to submit an application to OLG (not secure a license) is 6/30/21.

• A comprehensive fee and renewal schedule—inclusive of endorsements and permits—is available on ABRA’s website.

• New statements will be mailed to licensees with outstanding balances in mid-to-late July 2021. Previously received invoices may be discarded.

• If you have questions regarding payment or renewal deadlines, please email the Licensing Division at abc@dc.gov. In the subject line, include the subject of your inquiry, trade name, and alcohol license number. Inquiries will be responded to Monday-Friday, between 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Questions about modifications may be directed to ABRA’s Licensing Division at abc@dc.gov. Inquiries are responded to Monday-Friday, 8:30am - 4pm