Most of Virginia will begin the process of reopening for business Friday, although with strict restrictions from the governor.
One Virginia sheriff says he won’t help with enforcement.
The first phase of reopening Virginia comes with all kinds of restrictions, and enforcing those restrictions will require cooperation between health officials and law enforcement. That’s why Rappahannock-Rapidan Health Director Wade Kartchner reached out to police departments and sheriff’s offices in his district for assistance carrying out the governor’s executive orders. “For instance if we get a complaint that there’s a large gathering somewhere of 100 people. Obviously we’re going to first make some phone calls and ascertain whether it’s true or not. But it’s also going to be our responsibility to respond to those complaints,” Kartchner explained
Culpeper Sheriff Scott Jenkins says he will not enforce the governor’s executive order. Sheriff Jenkins didn’t return calls for comment.
Culpeper Town Councilman Jon Russell agrees with the sheriff. He says the governor has the power to isolate employees at a meat plant or target a specific county that’s a hot spot. But he doesn’t think the governor has the power to impose sweeping restrictions. “He’s not allowing people to go inside of restaurants. You have to be outside, and only the outside portion can be filled 50 percent. It’s still a closedown, and unconstitutional power grab,” Russell believes.
Business owners are adults, Russell says, and they should be able to have more than 10 people in their business or use social distancing to seat people inside of their restaurants if they want.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
