Bidens seen flouting Washington DC indoor mask mandate

United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill were filmed walking maskless through an Italian restaurant in Washington DC on Saturday. The videos were posted on social media and the White House incumbents have been subject to criticism for flouting COVID-19 indoor mask mandate. 

“Per CDC guidance and an executive order by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, all individuals over age 2 are required to wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Masks must be always worn while in our restaurants, except while eating and drinking. Thank you for understanding,” the website of the restaurant Biden visited reads. 

The Bidens were caught on camera leaving Fiola Mare in Georgetown with both of them not wearing masks. They were seen surrounded by masked-up Secret Service agents in tow. 

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As per Bowser’s executive order, establishments that fail to enforce the mandate face potential warnings, fines and the revocation of licenses. “The enforcement provisions of this Order shall not be applied to persons in the federal government or legislative branch of the District government while those persons are on duty.”

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Pictures taken by the Associated Press showed Biden carrying his mask in both hands as he left the seafood establishment. His wife did not appear to be carrying her mask as she left.

Earlier this year, hours before her indoor mask mandate went into effect in July, Mayor Bowser was photographed without a face mask during her birthday celebration. She was also seen maskless post the mandate went into effect. She faced backlash after a picture of herself with a group of women at an indoor Jack and Jill summit without a mask was posted on social media in September. 

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These photos were posted on social media a day after The White House said that the US will be lifting COVID-19 travel restrictions for fully vaccinated international visitors starting November 8.

The official White House order stated, “Starting November 8, the United States will admit fully vaccinated foreign air travelers from the 26 so-called Schengen countries in Europe, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Greece, as well as Britain, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil”.