Northam: Virginia Beach beaches will reopen May 22
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Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday that Virginia Beach would reopen Friday with certain restrictions on group sports, speakers, alcohol, tents and groupings of umbrellas, and beach fishing. There also will be a 50-percent occupancy restriction on parking in parking lots and garages.
“Virginia’s beaches offer important mental health benefits through rest, relaxation and exercise, we have an opportunity to provide that safe outdoor space,” Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer said.
According to Dyer, Virginia Beach is committed to reopening the beaches in a way that is safe for the residents, tourists and staff. City officials will aim to clean the beaches thoroughly and keep the areas sanitized, while also encouraging physical distancing between beach goers.
During his Monday press conference, Northam also discussed the new focus of testing in high-risk areas, mainly among those Northern Virginia.
Upcoming testing events include 1,500 planned in Manassas and 200 planned in Richmond May 19; 1,000 in Leesburg and 100 in Chesterfield May 20; 200 tests in Henrico May 22; 400 in Portsmouth and 120 in Petersburg May 23; 3,000 in Fairfax on May 23-24; and 3,000 in Alexandria on May 25.
