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Virginians must remain in their homes – with some broad exceptions – through June 10, as part of an executive order issued today by Gov. Ralph Northam that takes effect today.
Northam as recently as Friday had seemed reluctant to make such a declaration – choosing instead to strongly urge citizens to stay home unless they had to go out – but said he changed his mind this weekend after seeing images from state beaches packed with people.
“Our message today is very clear: That is to stay home,” Northam said during his daily press briefing Monday at which he announced the order. "This has been a suggestion to Virginians – today it's an order.
"We are at the beginning of a period of unprecedented sacrifice. . . but I have faith in you as Virginians.”
As part of it, no gatherings of 10 or more people are permitted statewide through June 10, and residents must maintain six feet of distance between each other at all times.
Citizens, however, may leave their homes to:
• buy food, drinks, goods or services;
• seek medical attention, essential governmental or emergency services;
• provide care for others, for animals or to visit family members;
• engage in travel required by court order for child custody, visitation or child care;
• exercise;
• travel to and from work or houses of worship;
• travel to and from a school;
• volunteer for an organization that provides charitable services;
• escape for a “reasonable fear for health or safety, at the direction of law enforcement or other government agency.
Northam’s ordered officially canceled all in-person classes at colleges and universities in the state, along with beaches and private campgrounds, though beaches may still be used for fishing and exercise, he said.
His announcement came on the day Virginia’s confirmed total number of COVID-19 cases eclipsed the 1,000 mark (1,025 from among more than 12,000 people tested). The state has witnessed 25 virus-related deaths – eight of them residents of the Canterbury Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Henrico’s Far West End, where more than 40 residents and staffers have tested positive.
According to the Virginia Department of Health’s official tally this morning, Henrico had 44 total cases of the virus. Statewide, 136 hospitalizations have been reported among those who have tested positive, according to the VDH.
Henrico and Richmond Health Department Director Danny Avula yesterday said he expected the number of cases in Henrico to peak no earlier than mid-April. Virginia is evaluating several different models that predict what the COVID-19 case count could look like in the state in the coming weeks, Northam said.
"We expect to share more information with Virginians soon,” he said.
State officials are not looking to arrest and jail anyone who violates Northam’s new order, he said, but violators of his 10-or-fewer gathering mandate could be subject to Class 1 misdemeanor.
In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers is studying possible locations at which to locate temporary hospital beds for overflow patients who need assistance. Several hospitals in the state, including VCU, already have taken such actions; VCU will use a student dormitory that originally was built as part of a hospital to house COVID-19 patients who need hospitalization but don’t need urgent lifesaving care, Northam said.
Those in the state who need help getting food, should call 211. To learn about local food banks, visit http://vafoodbanks.org. To reach the 24-hour Virginia Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline, dial 1-800-838-8238.
Read Northam’s complete order here: https://governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/executive-actions/EO-55-Temporary-Stay-at-Home-Order-Due-to-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19).pdf
