Virginia residents and businesses will have more freedom and fewer restrictions when the state enters the third phase of the “Forward Virginia” coronavirus reopening plan.
Gov. Ralph Northam, who spoke from the Fairfax County Government Center Tuesday afternoon, said Virginia is not entering phase three this week, and he did not provide a target date.
June 26th is the earliest possible date, Northam said.
“While the statewide numbers are trending in a positive direction, we continue to need to evaluate the data,” he said. “We’re going to be cautious and careful and continue to monitor the data before moving forward.”
Northam noted that other states that have reopened are starting to see surges in COVID-19 cases, and he does not want that to happen here.
Northam provided some guidance on what Phase 3 will look like when Virginia gets there:
- Residents are still safer at home, telework is still strongly encouraged and Virginians need to continue practicing physical distancing.
- Face coverings will still be required inside in public places. “We have to wear them, and wear them correctly,” Northam said. He thanked the residents who have done so.
- Social gatherings may have up to 250 people.
- The capacity restrictions on restaurants and retailers will be removed — but physical distancing is still required.
- Outdoor venues may open at 50 percent capacity up to 1,000 people.
- Gyms and fitness centers may open at 75 percent capacity.
- Personal grooming services still need to follow physical distancing requirements and safety measures.
- Overnight summer camps remain closed.
- Swimming pools need to institute physical distancing between swimmers.
If a business doesn’t feel safe opening or can’t meet the requirements for safety and physical distancing, it doesn’t have to open.
Should Virginia experience a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, the state is well-positioned to handle it with adequate PPE, hospital capacity and more. But, of course, Northam would rather not see that.
Northam pointed out a group of 16 young people who went to a bar to celebrate the lifting of restrictions in Florida – and all 16 caught COVID-19 that night, according to news reports. The virus is still very contagious and very much present. Virginians should continue to be vigilant, Northam said.
Efforts to Reach the Latinx Community
Gov. Northam also spoke extensively about how the novel coronavirus has affected Virginia’s Latinx residents. The state is making significant efforts to provide services in Spanish and in multiple other languages about COVID-19, health, safety and physical distancing.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said during Northam’s conference that the County has worked hard to focus on helping the Latinx community. Fairfax County is working on increasing testing in specific neighborhoods where particularly vulnerable populations reside, in addition to providing increased information and assistance in those areas.
Fairfax County has also partnered with the Institute for Public Health Innovation to hire hundreds more contact tracers, matching demographics with the communities those contact tracers are serving.
The County also has a multi-lingual call center for those who may need assistance with health, safety, rent, food and more. The phone number is 703-222-0880.
Northern Virginia is continuing to see a decrease in the number of cases of COVID-19, based on Virginia Dept. of Heath data.
Virginia Dept. of Health - June 18, 2020
However, still, the largest number of cases seem to be in the Latinx community.
Virginia Dept. of Health - June 18, 2020
In terms of population, the Latinx community makes up about 9 percent of Virginia's population.
