Today's @MayorBowser press briefing is about food access. I'll tweet highlights. For background, here's the order she issued last night pertaining to farmers markets and grocery stores: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6827989-GroceryOrder.html

Grocery stores must post signage instructing customers to wear a face mask and shop quickly and alone or with family members. It provides guidance on increasing social distancing by implementing policies like having one-way aisles and having customers bag their own groceries.

All farmers markets must have a plan in place to ensure social distancing protocols are followed. They must apply for a waiver to operate. "We know farmers markets are a source for fresh and nutritious source of food for people in all eight wards. But they have to be safe."

"We are working closely with government partners and community partners to increase access to food and other essentials. Working to get existing SNAP recipients more money to purchase groceries."

"We'll have a hotline for residents to call if they need food or other essential items. This is if they have no means of acquiring these items. There are residents who are not able to leave their homes. We will work to have those items delivered to them." # provided next week.

Thanks @WCKitchen and @RAMWdc for their efforts.

Are you requiring customers to wear a face mask? . @MayorBowser: "Yes. It's up to individuals to enforce their own individual behavior. ... All of us who want to rely on the supply of food need to do everything in our power to keep them safe."

"Don't use N95. Those are for medical professionals. Homemade coverings, scarfs, or other masks are appropriate."

Who is going to enforce this? FARMERS MARKETS: "We will be deploying MPD and the National Guard around our fresh food markets."

GOCERY STORES: "If we find gross negligence at a grocery store, we'll have to deal with that on a case-by-case basis."

What's the situation at fish market? "We continue to work with the fish market. They too have to submit a plan as I mentioned that demonstrates that they can operate safely. Our hope is they demonstrate that and get a waiver."