Revellers crowd the newly reopened dance floor of a club in Washington, DC, as authorities lift all Covid restrictions on bars, nightclubs and entertainment venues in the US capital, allowing them to operate at full capacity.

"I just high-fived a stranger," says local resident and partygoer Aimee Bailey, "we're just so excited to be able to be next to each other." Nightclub owner Bill Spieler shares her enthusiasm but also confesses to being "nervous," as his venue hasn't welcomed dancing crowds indoors for over a year until now.