Gov. Ralph Northam confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Northern Virginia is still on track to enter the first phase of his 'Forward Virginia' business reopening plan on Friday.
Much of the rest of Virginia entered the first phase on May 15, having met multiple COVID-19 benchmarks, including available hospital beds and a sustained reduction in 'percent positive' coronavirus tests.
Earlier this month, leaders from the City of Alexandria and Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties, suggested to Gov. Northam that the Northern Virginia area delay entering Phase One until more benchmarks were met.
Now, Alexandria and its neighboring communities seem to be ready to proceed into the first phase, having met most of those benchmarks. Over the weekend, local elected leaders sent a letter to Gov. Northam that said, "As you have stated, we believe there is value for the Commonwealth moving forward together. If the data supports it, we would like the Northern Virginia region to move to Phase 2 in concert with the rest of the Commonwealth when that date is established."
Each phase is scheduled to last for several weeks before restrictions are further loosened to ensure coronavirus cases do not suddenly increase. This first phase in this area may be accelerated so that Alexandria can catch up with the rest of the state.
Time to Mask Up
Until now, wearing a mask or face covering when physical distancing from other people is not possible has been a strong suggestion from health officials but not a requirement. Localities are not able to make their own mandates on masks — that directive had to come from state officials.
That changed on Tuesday, when Gov. Northam said: "Everyone will need to wear a face covering, inside, when you're in a public place, starting this Friday."
This includes stores, restaurants (when you are not actually eating or drinking), government buildings, salons and other places. Children under the age of 10 are exempt (though children over the age of three are strongly encouraged to wear a mask). People with medical conditions that prevent wearing a mask may also opt-out of this. Gov. Northam cited science that masks help reduce the transmission of this novel coronavirus.
Businesses will be required to comply with the mask mandate and new regulations to enforce that are in the works. Health officials will be tasked with enforcement, not police officers. "This is about people's health, it's not about locking people up in jails and handing out large fines," Gov. Northam said.
Gov. Northam, who is a medical doctor himself, was seen over the weekend at a Virginia beach without a mask and received quick criticism. He apologized for that.
Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that wearing a mask can help prevent the transmission of coronavirus.
According to the CDC: "Cloth face coverings may prevent the person wearing the mask from spreading respiratory droplets when talking, sneezing, or coughing. If everyone wears a cloth face covering when out in public, such as going to the grocery store, the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 can be reduced for the community. Since people may spread the virus before symptoms start, or even if people never have symptoms, wearing a cloth face covering may protect others around you. Face coverings worn by others may protect you from getting the virus from people carrying the virus."
Since coronavirus can be asymptomatic — some people can be sick with COVID-19 and have no fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc. — health officials are encouraging everyone to wear a mask to prevent accidentally and unknowingly passing the illness on to other people.
Masks are required for public transit passengers and several businesses have already posted signs telling customers to wear masks (or shop elsewhere) in Northern Virginia.
