During a news conference Tuesday, Governor Ralph Northam said masks will soon be required for indoor, public spaces.
The governor saidthe mandate will go into effect on Friday. It's unclear how long it will be in place.
Northam said there will be some exceptions, including people eating at a restaurant, those with certain health conditions and young children. He also indicated that the Virginia Department of Health will lead enforcement of the policy. Northam said there will be no criminal penalties and he's not trying to have people jailed for failing to wear a face mask while out in public. But, he did indicate he plans to discuss a potential civil penalty with the General Assembly when it likely reconvenes later this summer.
Republican lawmakers were quick to criticize the mask order. “Requiring Virginia’s businesses to enforce this mandate under threat of action by the Department of Health only adds to the incredible and stifling burdens placed upon them by the Democrat majority and the Governor this year," Republican leaders in the state Senate wrote in a joint statement.
The governor also addressed a bit of controversy surrounding his visit to Virginia Beach over the weekend. Northam said he wanted to visit with local leaders who were ensuring social distancing guidelines were being followed as the oceanfront reopened. During that visit, Northam said he took some photos with onlookers while he was not wearing a mask -- images that circulated on social media. The governor said he left his mask in his car and took responsibility for not wearing one in public. He thanked Virginians for holding him accountable and said he would be more vigilant in wearing a mask going forward.
Northam said Virginia Beach handled reopening very well over the holiday weekend and indicated that other beaches may be allowed to reopen soon.
Speaking of the state's data trends, Northam said all indicators are continuing to move in the right direction. However, he said that it's just too soon to determine when the state will begin entering Phase Two of his reopening plan.
He does expect northern Virginia, the city of Richmond and Accomack County to enter Phase One of the plan by Friday. The governor indicated more details are on the way tomorrow.
Richmond Asks to Enter Phase One, Northam Says No to Additional Restrictions
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has asked the state to allow Richmond to enter Phase One of the governor's reopening plan, but with continued restrictions on churches and personal grooming businesses to stay in place.
Stoney released a letter to Governor Ralph Northam Tuesday morning. The letter says Stoney and Northam discusses Richmond's reopening plan on Monday. The letter does not set a date for starting Phase One. It notes that the city's positivity rate is lower than it was a month ago, but is trending upward again. Stoney's letter asks to keep personal grooming and care businesses closed as well as a ban on indoor gatherings at houses of worship.
I've requested a modified reopening that keeps the city moving forward safely. I want to reopen our city, but a sustainable reopening requires a deliberate and incremental plan. I've asked @GovernorVA to consider our locally-informed strategy. #RVAStrong pic.twitter.com/lAacy2c0jA
— Mayor Levar M. Stoney (@LevarStoney) May 26, 2020
Tuesday evening, Northam responded with a letter of his own, saying Richmond would be able to enter Phase One Friday but without any additional restrictions from the state. Northam noted that churches and businesses that wish to remain closed are free to do so. He also suggested Stoney work with city council to enact emergency actions if they are needed.
Health department reports the largest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases
Meanwhile, the Virginia Department of Health reported the largest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases since the crisis began. 1,615 new cases were reported in Tuesday morning's update, raising the state's total to 39,342. 28 additional deaths were also reported.
