We watch so you don’t have to
Governor Northam has a 3-part plan for Virginia to re-open over an extended period of time. The first phase of his plan to re-open Virginia won’t go into effect until at least May 15th. If he needs to extend the opening he will give as much notice as possible but he is anticipating Phase I to begin on May 15th.
The Governor said we might have a vaccine by the end of this year, or next year, or in two years.
Reopening Phase one will last 2 to 4 weeks and it includes the following:
- vulnerable populations should remain at home
- Continued teleworking
- Face coverings in public
- Continued social distancing
- You may get a haircut but you will need an appointment
- Restaurants may open but customers will have to be more spread out
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting for all businesses
- Gyms can open but with fewer customers
- Enhanced workplace safety
- More breaks for employees to wash their hands
- Open private and public campgrounds with more spacing and people can stay only 2 weeks
- Churches can open with only 10 people spread out
- Farmer’s markets may open
- More details later this week
Phase two will also last 2-4 weeks and will include:
- Stay at home remains for vulnerable population
- Continued social distancing
- 50 people groups will be permitted
- Continued teleworking
- Face coverings in public
- Further easing of limitations on businesses
To move to stage three there must be “no evidence of rebound for a sustained period of time”. Phase three may not happen for 10 to 12 weeks or longer. Phase three will include the following:
- Vulnerable populations should remain at home
- Remove the ban on social gatherings
- Remove capacity limits on business
- Continued heightened cleaning and disinfecting
- Possible other measures
There will no openings in different parts of the state, the state will all move through these phases together. Bristol Virginia businessmen and women must continue to watch their business go Bristol Tennessee. The Governor wants Virginia’s opening to be consistent with Maryland and Washington DC but apparently other states that border Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and North Carolina don’t matter.
The Governor is very proud of Virginians for doing all they’ve done to slow the spread of coronavirus.
