President Biden openly disregarded DC’s mask mandate over the weekend.
The president and first lady were spotted walking through a high-priced Italian restaurant Fiola Mare in Washington, DC on Saturday evening as the fully-masked Secret Services escorted them out.
The video was posted to social media:
Currently health guidelines in D.C. mandate that all citizens wear masks regardless of their vaccination status while at indoor venues.
“This includes any business or establishment open to members of the public (including but not limited to: grocery stores, restaurants and bars (when not eating or drinking), places of worship, gyms, office buildings, libraries, indoor entertainment venues, and common areas of apartment or condominium complexes),” D.C. health guidelines explain.
Fiola Mare’s website states the city’s mask mandate will be enforced at the restaurant.
“Per CDC guidance and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s executive order, 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 restaurant says.
According to the Daily Mail, the Bidens had “earlier attended church at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown,” and the couple was celebrating “‘Sweetest Day’ – a holiday celebrated in the Midwest and Florida to celebrate romantic deeds and expressions.”
This past August, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser was criticized for violating her city’s mask mandate while in attendance at a wedding reception.
“On Saturday, July 31st, Mayor Bowser officiated an outdoor, rooftop wedding ceremony, followed by an indoor dinner. The Mayor wore a mask indoors in compliance with the mandate, and the organizers and venue staff worked to create a safe environment for the staff and guests,” her office said in response to the backlash.
Bowser was even criticized by the far-left Washington Post for the bad optics and poor excuse.
“This is an embarrassing moment for the mayor,” the Post said. “The video clearly shows she is seated at a table, when the meal is over, in violation of her own mask mandate that says masks are not required indoors in these circumstances only when ‘actively eating or drinking.’”