Updated Executive Order Introduces New Measures to Address COVID-19

November 14, 2020

The Office of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced additional measures to address the increased rates of COVID-19 through updated Executive Order on Friday, November 13, 2020. Read the full amendment to Phase Three restrictions.

The summation below was provided by the Virginia Volunteer Organizations Assisting in Disasters (VOAD).

On Friday, November 13, Governor Northam held a press conference to announce new measures to address the increasing rates of COVID-19 throughout Virginia; a summary with links is below.

Notes from Governor Northam’s Press Conference on 11/13:

· Virginia is averaging 1,500 new COVID-19 cases per day, up from a statewide peak of approximately 1,200 in May

· All regions are reporting a positivity rate over 5%

· Hospitalizations increased statewide by more than 35% in the last 4 weeks

o The following measures will take effect at midnight on Sunday, November 15:

Reduction in public and private gatherings: All public and private in-person gatherings must be limited to 25 individuals, down from the current cap of 250 people. This includes outdoor and indoor settings.

Expansion of mask mandate: All Virginians aged 5 and over are required to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces. This expands the current mask mandate, which has been in place in Virginia since May 29 which required all individuals aged 10 and over to wear face coverings in indoor public settings.

Strengthened enforcement within essential retail businesses: All essential retail businesses, including grocery stores and pharmacies, must adhere to statewide guidelines for physical distancing, wearing face coverings, and enhanced cleaning. While certain essential retail businesses have been required to adhere to these regulations as a best practice, violations will now be enforceable through the Virginia Department of Health as a Class One misdemeanor.

On-site alcohol curfew: The on-site sale, consumption, and possession of alcohol is prohibited after 10:00 p.m. in any restaurant, dining establishment, food court, brewery, microbrewery, distillery, winery, or tasting room. All restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms must close by midnight. Virginia law does not distinguish between restaurants and bars, however, under current restrictions, individuals that choose to consume alcohol prior to 10:00 p.m. must be served as in a restaurant and remain seated at tables six feet apart.

Links to amendments:

EO 63 Order Of Public Health Emergency Five - Requirement To Wear Face Covering While Inside Buildings

EO-67 SIXTH AMENDED and Order of Public Health Emergency Seven - Phase Three Further Adjusting of Certain Temporary Restrictions Due to COVID-19

A few key resources/updates from the VEST COVID-19 SITREP (attached):

· CMS had identified ten “super hotspot” facilities (10+ cases reported in last week) in Virginia

· 15% of localities (20 of 133) have positivity rates above 10%

· 130 School Nurses will become trained and approved Medical Reserve Corps volunteers to provide vaccinations

· The Investigation Unit has received reports of increased outbreaks associated with home gatherings (potentially associated with Halloween)

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