New COVID Restrictions Take Effect Dec 14

Due to an increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in December, Virginia Governor Ralph Northram has released Executive Order Seventy-Two which lists the latest "common sense" guidelines for businesses, which go into effect on Monday, December 14. At its release, these latest round of guidelines are set to expire on January 31, 2021. Read the announcement on the Governor's website. 

How does this impact the Virginia museum community? 

Details regarding museums is listed below. Read complete details on Executive Order Seventy-Two.

12. Entertainment and Amusement Businesses

Performing arts venues, concert venues, sports venues, convention centers, expos, movie
theaters, museums, aquariums, fairs, carnivals, public and private social clubs, botanical
gardens, entertainment centers, historic horse racing facilities, bowling alleys, skating
rinks, arcades, trampoline parks, arts and craft facilities, escape rooms, amusement parks
and zoos not covered in paragraph 11, and other places of indoor public amusement may
open provided such businesses comply with the Guidelines for All Business Sectors and
the sector-specific guidelines, which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. Such
guidance includes, but is not limited to, the following requirements:

a. The total number of spectators cannot exceed the lesser of 30 percent of the lowest
occupancy load on the certificate of occupancy, if applicable, or 250 persons.
b. All private bookings are limited to 10 people and must comply with Section II,
subsection B, paragraph 1.
c. No alcoholic beverage shall be sold, consumed, or possessed on premises after 10:00
p.m. Alcoholic beverages may continue to be sold via delivery or take-out after 10:00
p.m., as permitted by existing regulations promulgated by the Virginia Alcoholic
Beverage Control Authority.
d. Install visible markers for queue lines that separate people by six feet of physical
distance.
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e. Create a guest flow plan of modified queue lines into and within the facility.
Determine areas likely to become bottlenecks or pinch points and adjust guest flow
accordingly.
f. Require ten feet of physical distancing between parties at all establishments with
physical activity, singing, or cheering; six feet of physical distancing is required in
other venues.
g. If interactive exhibits are in service, post signage to discourage congregating and
encourage the use of hand sanitizer. Provide hand sanitizer stations around any
interactive exhibits. Discontinue any interactive exhibits that pose a risk for children
to place items in their mouths.
h. Practice routine cleaning and disinfection of high contact areas and hard
surfaces, including check out stations and payment pads, store entrance push/pull
pads, door knobs/handles, dining tables/chairs, light switches, handrails, restrooms,
guest lockers, floors, and equipment.
i. Where possible, install plexiglass barriers in front of commonly used point-of-sale or
guest service stations.
j. Employees are required to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth while
working at their place of employment.
k. Patrons must wear face coverings over their nose and mouth in accordance with
Section III.
l. Businesses must promote frequent and thorough hand washing, including by
providing employees, customers, visitors, the general public, and other persons to the
entering into place of employment with a place to wash their hands. If soap and
running water are not immediately available, provide hand sanitizers.
m. If any such business cannot adhere to these requirements, it must close.