Washington, DC

(Washington, DC) – After launching the ReOpenDC Advisory Group, Mayor Muriel Bowser is seeking feedback from District residents, workers, and employers through an online survey and virtual town hall.

“Like cities and countries around the world, the District’s response to COVID-19 has been unprecedented, and so too will be the process of reopening,” said Mayor Bowser. “Every resident has a seat at the table and an opportunity to share their perspective, thoughts, and dreams. Our hope isn’t just to simply ReOpenDC, but to be a better DC when we do reopen.”

The ReOpenDC Virtual Town Hall will provide an opportunity for District residents to learn about the work of ReOpenDC and to ask questions of Mayor Bowser and ReOpenDC co-chairs, Ambassador Susan Rice and Secretary Michael Chertoff. The virtual town hall will occur on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at 5 pm. To register, visit coronavirus.dc.gov/reopendc.

“Our focus will be on harnessing the best ideas from residents and experts across the public and private sectors to plan the re-opening of the District,” said Ambassador Rice. “Only through active and ongoing engagement with our neighbors will we be able to form a plan for reopening that aligns with public expectations while emphasizing the need to improve the quality-of-life of all District residents.”

The ReOpenDC survey, which can also be accessed on coronavirus.dc.gov/reopendc, asks residents to share their feedback regarding reopening, as well as any big ideas, concerns, or feedback about reopening.

“As Mayor Bowser has said, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not just reopen our city but to build a more equitable DC,” said Secretary Chertoff. “By working with the community, we will help the Mayor develop a safe and sustainable approach to reopen the District and get our local economy up and running, and working for everyone.”

Mayor Bowser assembled the ReOpenDC Advisory Group to evaluate community feedback, synthesize expert health and medical feedback, evaluate national and global best practices, and make sector specific recommendations regarding plans for reopening after the District’s unprecedented response to COVID-19. The ReOpenDC Advisory Committee, co-chaired by Ambassador Rice and Secretary Chertoff, will envision and plan for a sustainable reopening of Washington, DC through community driven guidance, and in accordance with DC Values and health principles recommended by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

For more information about the District’s COVID-19 response, visit coronavirus.dc.gov.