Northam expands indoor, outdoor group limits

Some sports and entertainment venues in Virginia will be able to host more visitors and spectators beginning April 1, following Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s amendment Tuesday of an executive order.

Northam announced the maximum number of people allowed in a social gathering will increase from 10 to 50 for indoor events and 25 to 100 for outdoor events April 1.

All indoor and outdoor entertainment and public amusement venues must continue to operate at 30 percent capacity, Northam said, but indoor venues may have a maximum of 500 people (an increase from the current level of 250), while outdoor venues will have no cap on the total number as long as it does not exceed 30 percent of capacity. Outdoor venues currently are capped at 1,000 people or 30 percent, whichever number is lower.

“With increased vaccination capacity and our health metrics continuing to trend the right direction, we can safely take these targeted steps to ease certain mitigation measures,” said Northam. “Virginians have come so far over the past year, and now is not the time to simply throw the doors open or let down our guard. While some capacity limits will be increased, we must all remember to stay vigilant and work together to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.”

Northam also is expanding the number of spectators allowed at recreational sporting events, from 25 to 100 people per field or 30 percent capacity (whichever is less) for indoor settings; and from 250 to 500 people per field or 30 percent capacity (whichever is less) for outdoor settings.

In addition, Northam formalized last week’s preliminary announcement related to graduation ceremonies, which will be permitted to host as many as 5,000 people outdoors (or 30 percent of capacity, whichever is less) and as many as 500 indoors (or 30 percent of capacity, whichever is less). Attendees must wear masks and follow other guidelines and safety protocols to ensure proper distancing.

More than two million Virginians, or approximately one in four people, have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The state is administering about 50,000 doses per day.