Phase 2 of Re-opening Virginia begins on Friday

Executive Order 65, signed by Gov. Ralph Northam on Tuesday, establishes the guidelines for Phase 2, which call for the following:

• The original ‘Stay at Home’ order is a ‘Safer at Home’ strategy, calling for people to continue social distancing, teleworking, and requiring individuals to wear face coverings in indoor public settings, in accordance with the executive order signed last week.

• Virginia’s 10-person limit on gatherings will be expanded to a 50-person limit, and all businesses still need to adhere to physical distancing guidelines, frequently clean and sanitize high contact surfaces, and continue enhanced workplace safety measures

Specific business changes are as follows:

• Restaurant and beverage establishments may offer indoor dining at 50 percent occupancy

• Fitness centers may open indoor areas at 30 percent occupancy with fitness equipment separated by at least 10 feet

• Certain recreation and entertainment venues without shared equipment may open with restrictions. These venues include museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and outdoor concert, sporting, and performing arts venues.

• Swimming pools can open up to both indoor and outdoor exercise (like lap swimming), diving, and swim instruction. (Splash pads, saunas, hot tubs, etc. must stay closed

The current guidelines for religious services, non-essential retail, and personal grooming services will largely remain the same in Phase Two, including 50% capacity in both retail and houses of worship, and health restrictions for personal grooming services.

Overnight summer camps, most indoor entertainment venues, amusement parks, fairs, and carnivals will remain closed in Phase 2.

Phase 2 guidelines for specific sectors HERE. NOVA and Richmond are exempted from the order due to continued outbreaks of Coronavirus in those locations.

Currently Botetourt County has 38 cases, an increase of four since May 29 and the death toll remains 4.

–Governor’s office photo by Cathy Benson