Virginia’s governor is lifting the state’s indoor mask mandate in line with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Friday that the mask policy change takes effect at midnight along with changes to other mitigation measures. Those include expanding the capacity for sports and entertainment venues and an easing of limits on social gatherings.
Northam also said Virginia will ease all distancing and capacity restrictions on May 28, two weeks earlier than planned.
Virginia will be removing our universal indoor mask mandate for fully-vaccinated individuals tonight at midnight, consistent with the latest @CDCgov guidelines.
— Governor Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) May 14, 2021
It’s simple: either get your shot, or wear a mask. pic.twitter.com/eCZ0Z8yNw3
He said increasing vaccination rates and declines in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and statewide test positivity rate changes made the changes possible.