Richmond’s mayor says the city is not ready to begin resuming business activity and gatherings Friday. And the governor has agreed to a two week delay.
Levar Stoney asked the state to delay Phase One of the governor’s reopening plan in the city because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases and an increasing positivity rate.
In aThursday afternoon news conference, Stoney said communities of color are particularly at risk. "We also know Richmond is blacker and browner than most Virginia localities. And that COVID 19 has had a disproportionate impact on these communities," Stoney said.
He didn’t put a timeline on the delay but said he would let data dictate the decision. He said he sympathized with the city's businesses and their struggles over the past two months, but asked them to remain patient.
Thursday evening, Governor Ralph Northam approved a delay of at least two weeks for the city. The city will not begin to ease restrictions before May 29th.
Accomack County, on Virginia's Eastern Shore, also asked for and received a two-week delay. That community has seen large numbers of cases centered around poultry processing plants.
