City Notice: Post-Storm Service Restoration and Critical Health Deadlines

Department of Public Works: Trash and Recycling Service Resumption

The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) has announced that residential sanitation collections, which were significantly delayed this week due to the impacts of Winter Storm Fern, will resume on Saturday, January 31, 2026. To facilitate the clearing of the backlog and ensure the safety of collection crews, residents are directed to follow a modified weekend schedule:

• Monday Collection: Households that normally receive frontside trash and recycling collection on Mondays are required to place their bins at the curb by 6:00 a.m. today, Saturday, January 31, for immediate pickup.
• Tuesday Collection: Households with regularly scheduled Tuesday frontside pickups should place their bins out by 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 1, for collection.
• Alley Access: DPW teams are currently utilizing bobcat equipment to clear pathways through alleys to allow collection teams access. Residents in areas with narrow alleyways may still experience localized delays as these pathways are prioritized.

Crews remain on an emergency schedule for public litter can collection, working two 12-hour shifts throughout the weekend to maintain street sanitation following the winter weather event.

DC Health: Final Day for 2026 Plan Enrollment

DC Health reminds all residents that today, Saturday, January 31, 2026, is the final day of the Open Enrollment period for Plan Year 2026. The DC Health Link marketplace will remain open until midnight for individuals, families, and small business owners to select or change their health insurance plans. Residents who do not complete their applications by this deadline may be unable to secure coverage for the remainder of the year unless they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

In a separate health advisory, DC Health has confirmed that the District’s childhood immunization schedule remains unchanged. Despite recent modifications to federal recommendations, local requirements continue to mandate the full range of vaccines as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for all students enrolled in District schools and childcare facilities.

Public Service Announcement: Federal Posture and Council Oversight

Residents are advised that a partial federal government shutdown began early Saturday, January 31, 2026, following a congressional funding impasse. While essential District-funded services remain fully operational, non-essential federal agencies—including the IRS and the Department of Transportation—have suspended certain public-facing operations. Transportation security agents and air traffic controllers continue to work in an unpaid capacity to maintain national travel safety.

Furthermore, the Council of the District of Columbia continues its Fiscal Year 2026 Performance Oversight Hearings. While no sessions are held today, Saturday, the official hearing schedule for the upcoming week is active. Members of the public are encouraged to register to provide testimony on agency performance and budget allocations via the Council’s Hearing Management System.