Virginia: State-by-State COVID-19 Guidance

VIRGINIA

April 8, 2021:

On April 8, 2021, Governor Ralph Northam invited eligible Virginia private schools to apply for funding from the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act that was approved by Congress in December 2020. The CRRSA Act includes $2.75 billion in Governor’s Emergency Education Relief funding for the Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS) program, and Virginia received and allocation of $46.6 million. Non-public schools do not receive direct awards or allocations under the EANS. Instead, state education departments use EANS funds to procure services and assistance requested by eligible private schools in their applications.

Virginia has received a total of $993 million in funds for PreK-12 education from the CRRSA Act, with $946 million benefiting Virginia’s PreK-12 public schools. $845 million of those funds are now available to Virginia’s 132 public school divisions with $101 million set aside for statewide education initiatives such as enhancing student literacy, providing extended year learning opportunities, and increasing digital instruction tools for educators.

There are 488 accredited K-12 private schools in Virginia serving approximately 112,000 students. In Virginia, eligible non-public schools are K-12 private schools with state-recognized accreditation through the Virginia Council on Private Education (VCPE) and private schools that certify compliance with the state laws that apply to schools accredited through VCPE. The CRRSA Act requires state education departments to prioritize applications based on enrollment of low-income students and the severity of the impact of the pandemic on the school.

Approved services and assistance for non-public schools under the CRRSA Act include, but are not limited to: supplies to sanitize, disinfect, and clean school facilities; personal protective equipment; physical barriers to facilitate social distancing; and educational technology to help students, teachers, and staff with remote and hybrid learning. Eligible non-public schools must submit a completed application to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) by April 26, 2021. The application form and additional information on the EANS program can be found here.

April 5, 2021:

Governor Northam announced that beginning April 18, 2021, all individuals in Virginia age 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. All individuals who live or work in Virginia can pre-register online or call 877-829-4682 to be notified when they are eligible for vaccination and an appointment is available. Those at higher risk will continue to receive priority in the scheduling process.

March 25, 2021:

Governor Northam announced that as COVID-19 vaccinations continue to rise in Virginia, certain sports and entertainment venues may begin to operate with additional capacity, and indoor and outdoor gathering limits will increase starting April 1, 2021. Governor Northam amended Executive Order 72, easing public health restrictions while still mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Virginia will still maintain a Safer at Home strategy with continued physical distancing, teleworking, and mask requirements. The amendments to Executive Order 72 include:

The maximum number of individuals permitted at a social gathering will increase to 50 people for indoor setting and 100 people for outdoor settings.
All indoor and outdoor entertainment and public amusement venues must continue to operate at 30 percent capacity.
- Indoor venues must operate at 30 percent capacity or with a maximum of 500 people.
- Outdoor venues must operate at 30 percent capacity, with no specific cap on the number of attendees.
The number of spectators allowed at recreational sporting events will increase 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.

Governor Northam has previously issued preliminary guidance on safe in-person graduations and commencements, which included a cap of 5,000 people or up to 30 percent of the venue capacity for outdoor events, whichever is less. Events held indoors may have up to 500 people, or 30 percent of the venue capacity, whichever is less. Attendees must wear masks and follow other guidelines and safety protocols to ensure proper distancing.

February 24, 2021:

On February 24, 2021, Governor Northam announced a gradual easing of certain COVID-19 related measures. Governor Northam amended Executive Order 72 to safely and gradually ease public health restrictions while still mitigating the spread of COVID-19. The changes are effective March 1, 2021 and will remain effective through at least April 1. The key changes include:

The limit on outdoor social gatherings has been increased from 10 to 25 people (but the limit for indoor gatherings remains at 10 people).
Outdoor entertainment and public amusement venues can operate with up to 1,000 people or at 30 percent capacity, whichever is lower (but indoor entertainment and public amusement venues must continue to operate at 30 percent capacity with a cap of 250 people).
The on-site sale, consumption, and possession of alcohol is permitted until 12:00 a.m., extended from 10 pm.
All restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms must be closed between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
As of May 1, 2021, overnight summer camps will be open with strict mitigation measures in place.

Mitigation measures may be further eased if key health measures continue to improve. Current guidelines for retail businesses, fitness and exercise, large amusement venues, and personal grooming services will remain in place. Individuals are strongly encouraged to continue teleworking if possible.

The modified Stay at Home order expires on February 28, 2021. Governor Northam reiterated, however, that Virginia still maintains the Safer at Home strategy with continued strict health and safety protocols, including physical distancing, mask-wearing requirements, gathering limits, and business capacity restrictions.

February 17, 2021:

On February 17, 2021, Governor Ralph Northam announced that Virginia has launched a centralized system where residents can pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine online or by telephone at 877-VAX-IN-VA. The call center operates seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and is staffed by 750 operators, including Spanish-speaking agents, who can answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and help with pre-registration.

In addition to completing pre-registration, Virginians can confirm they are on the wait list and learn more about the state’s vaccination program. Virginians who have already pre-registered through their local health departments will be automatically transferred to the centralized system, and their pre-registration status will not be affected.

To complete pre-registration online or by telephone, residents are asked to provide basic information to determine eligibility. Pre-registrants will not be asked to provide their social security number or immigration status. Anyone who pre-registers will receive a pre-registration confirmation and a reference code that can be used to verify one’s status.

Virginians who qualify for Groups 1A and 1B are currently eligible for vaccinations. This includes health care personnel, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, people age 65 and older, frontline essential workers, those living and working in homeless shelters and correctional facilities, and individuals with underlying medical conditions or disabilities that increase their risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Governor Northam emphasized that vaccine supply is still limited, but that the government is striving to acquire more doses and administer the vaccine in a safe, efficient, and equitable manner.

February 16, 2021:

On February 16, 2021, Governor Ralph Northam announced $524 million in new federal funding to help Virginia families stay in their homes amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Virginia Rent Relief Program (RRP) is funded through the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program included in the recent federal stimulus package. The RRP assists households and landlords with rent payments to prevent evictions. Virginia has put $160 million into the RRP to increase housing stability across the state and will make additional funding available based upon need. The program will be administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

The new ERA funding does not include mortgage relief, so the Rent Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP) that has been operating since June 2020 will no longer accept applications for assistance with mortgage payments.

Chesterfield and Fairfax counties will operate their own ERA-funded rent relief programs for their residents. Virginia residents outside those counties are encouraged to reach out to their landlords to determine the quickest path to rental assistance. Virginia law requires landlords to work with their tenants to apply for this assistance, but landlords can initiate applications here. Tenants interested in applying for assistance can check their eligibility by completing a self-assessment. Tenants may be eligible for rent arrears payments back to April 1, 2020 and up to three months of payments into the future. Total payments may not exceed 15 months of rental assistance per household.

February 8, 2021:

On February 5, 2021, Governor Northam urged all K-12 divisions in the state to make in-person learning options available by March 15, 2021. As justification, the Governor referenced the health guidance previously issued, new research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the January 21, 2021 Executive Order issued by the Biden Administration on the safe reopening of schools. Governor Northam also encouraged all school divisions to offer classroom instruction during the summer months.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recommends schools use the CDC Indicators for Dynamic School Decision-Making jointly with Interim Guidance for K-12 School Reopening to inform decisions about school operations with regard to COVID-19. VDH also maintains a school metrics dashboard, which provides a visualization of COVID-19 community transmission by region and community data trends to inform local and state governments and school officials whether additional mitigation measures are needed.

January 28, 2021:

On January 27, 2021, Governor Ralph Northam announced a series of new actions to increase the rate of COVID-19 vaccinations in Virginia. These actions include implementing inventory management system, providing guidelines to local health departments for prioritizing limited supplies of doses, increasing data accuracy and transparency, streamlining vaccine registration, and extending mitigation measures. In greater detail, Governor Northam took the following actions:

Temporary reallocation of unused inventory: hospitals will make an addition 40,000 doses available shots this week by reallocating unused inventory. Governor Northam has stated this will not impact the ability of individuals who receive a first dose of vaccine to get the second dose at the recommended time, and vaccine providers will receive second doses in proportion to the first doses they administer.
Consistent guidelines for local health departments: the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has issued guidance to health districts about how to use the limited supply of vaccine doses available for Group 1B. This includes allocating roughly half of available doses for people aged 65 and older. The other half should be used for frontline essential workers, people in congregate settings, and individuals aged 16-64 at increased risk of severe illness. Local health department should use this order of priority for frontline essential workers outlined by the VDH here.
Increasing data accuracy and transparency. With the intention of increasing transparency and providing citizens with more information about vaccination progress, VDH intends to launch a vaccination dashboard that will include additional information on distribution and usage by health district, facility type, and first and second doses. The new data dashboard can be accessed here.
Improve race and ethnicity data collection: Governor Northam has directed clinicians to collect race and ethnicity information during vaccine registration and at the time of vaccine administration. Governor Northam has also announced he will support Virginia state legislation that will require this information to be collected.
Streamlining vaccine registration. Governor Northam has directed VDH to accelerate its work to develop a single statewide vaccine registration system.
Continuing mitigation measures: Governor Northam also announced he has extended Executive Order 72, which outlines current measures intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The order was set to expire on January 31, 2021. It has been extended through February 28, 2021.

Also on January 27, 2021, Virginia’s permanent COVID-19 workplace safety and health rules took effect. Governor Northam approved the standards adopted by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s Safety and Health codes boards earlier in 2021. The standards mandate appropriate personal protective equipment, sanitation, social distancing, infectious disease preparedness and response plans, record keeping, training, and hazard communications in workplaces across the state. These workplace safety requirements will remain effective through the duration of the pandemic.

In addition to requiring all public-facing employees to masks, the standards require ready access to hand sanitizer and regular cleaning of common work spaces. Employers must train employees on COVID-19 safety and to develop infectious disease and preparedness response plans. The new permanent regulations include guidelines for returning to work and communicating about employees who test positive and potential exposures. The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry will enforce the permanent standard.

After the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry receives a complaint related to these standards, the department will work with employers to comply with further investigation. If serious concerns arise in the fact finding interviews or the department receives multiple complaints, a formal investigation will be launched. To date, the department has received 13,000 complaints around workplace safety due to COVID-19 safety, 100 of which needed full investigation, and 27 employers were cited.

Infectious disease preparedness and response plan templates and training guidance are available through the department’s website. Workers who feel unsafe in their workplace can file a formal complaint with the federal Occupational Safety and Health administration.

January 6, 2021:

On January 6, Governor Northam announced a new series of actions to support the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution program and to accelerate the pace of vaccinations across Virginia. Governor Northam announced he has taken the following steps to help workers increase the rate of vaccinations as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible:

Vaccination goal: Governor Northam has set an initial goal of vaccinating 25,000 Virginians each day (supplies allowing).
Use it or lose it: Medical facilities are required to administer the vaccine as soon as possible or risk having future vaccine allotments reduced.
Dr. T.K. Avula to lead vaccination efforts: Dr. Avula who serves as the director of the Richmond City and Henrico Health Departments to coordinate work between state officials, local health departments, hospitals, and private providers.
Expanded priority groups: Governor Northam announced that K-12 teachers and childcare workers will be among the next priority groups to receive vaccinations after Group A (Healthcare personnel and residents and staff at long-term facilities).
Elevating the Virginia National Guard: As Virginia receives more doses, the Virginia National Guard will provide logistical support and help local health departments with vaccination administration.

Also, on January 6, Governor Northam announced the next priority populations to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. The state is developing an online portal to help people understand how to register to receive a COVID-19 vaccine:

Phase A: Healthcare personnel and residents and staff at long-term facilities
Phase B: First responders, childcare and K-12 teachers, front line essential workers in manufacturing, food and grocery, transit, and postal, adults 75 year of age or older, people living in correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and migrant labor camps
Phase C: Essential workers in construction, transportation, food service, utilities, etc., adults age 65 years of age or older, and people ages 16-64 with high risk medical conditions
Phase D: General population

December 22, 2020:

On December 22, 2020, Governor Northam announced temporary changes to Virginia’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) program that will support the state’s workers and businesses who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive Order 74 requires the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) to mitigate a potential rise in the UI experience rating tax for businesses by holding them harmless for the lay-offs that occurred during the pandemic. The temporary change will protect Virginia businesses from having to pay an additional $200 million to replenish the UI Trust Fund. Governor Northam has also directed the VEC to begin automatically distributing UI benefits to unemployed Virginians who have been held in the agency’s determination process.

Governor Northam’s actions come as Virginia’s unemployment system has been severely strained during the pandemic. Approximately 1.4 million people have filed for unemployment benefits in 2020.

UI Employer Tax Rates for 2021 are assigned by the previous calendar year from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. Employers’ Base Tax Rate is dependent on their account history and circumstances. In recalculating the tax rate for 2021, Executive Order 74 requires that the VEC not penalize businesses for lay-offs that occurred during the pandemic from April through June 2020. This will prevent Virginia’s businesses from having to devote critical resources to higher state payroll taxes.

December 14, 2020:

On December 14, Governor Northam welcomed one of the state’s first shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to a Bon Secours hospital in Richmond, Virginia. This shipment is part of the initial allotment of 72,150 doses arriving between December 14-15, 2020, to health systems across Virginia. These first doses will be administered to frontline health care workers as early as December 15, 2020.

Governor Northam praised the arrival of the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine but reminded Virginians that administering the vaccine will be a months-long process. In the meantime, Governor Northam urged citizens to stay vigilant, take care of one another, and follow the public health guidelines as the government and public health officials work to administer the vaccine in a safe, efficient, and equitable manner.

Virginia health systems expect to receive an estimated 480,000 doses of the vaccine from Pfizer and Moderna by the end of December 2020. The initial allocation will begin the vaccination process for nearly all health care personnel and long-term facility residents. The Virginia Department of Health estimates that there are up to 500,000 individuals in these two top priority groups in the state.

December 10, 2020:

On December 10, 2020, Governor Ralph Northam announced several measures targeted to slow the spread of COVID-19. Executive Order 72 directs Virginians to stay at home between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. Executive Order 72 also implements a universal mask requirement and lowers the limit on social gatherings from 25 people to 10 people. The order is effective from December 14, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. and will remain in place through January 31, 2020, unless rescinded or amended.

Executive Order 72’s modified stay at home order requires that all Virginians remain in their residence between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. Exceptions include obtaining food and goods, travelling to and from work, and seeking medical attention.

The Order’s universal mask requirement provides that all citizens over 5 years old are required to wear face coverings in indoor setting shared with others and when outdoors within six feet of another person. This order expands the current statewide mask mandate, which has been in place since May 29. These changes are consistent with the CDC’s new guidelines that recommend universal wearing of face coverings.

All social gatherings are limited to 10 individuals. This is a decrease from the current cap of 25 people. Social gatherings include, but are not limited to, parties, celebrations, or other social events, regardless of whether they incur indoors or outdoors. This does not apply to religious services, employment settings, or educational settings. Restaurants and retails stores are already governed by strict social distancing requirements and are not included in this limit.

The Executive Order also provides that employees that can telework are strongly encouraged to do so.

November 17, 2020:

On November 13, 2020, Governor Ralph Northam announced a series of new actions to slow the spread of the coronavirus in Virginia. Governor Northam also released a video updating Virginians on the actions as well as additional states taken by the state to slow the spread. The following orders went into effect at midnight on November 15, 2020:

All public and private gatherings are limited to 25 individuals. This is a substantial decrease from the previous cap of 250 people. This includes outdoor and indoor venues.
The mask mandate has been expanded to require all individuals aged 5 and over to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces. This expanded the previous mask mandate, which applied to only individuals aged 10 and over.
All essential retail businesses, including grocery stores and pharmacies, must follow state guidelines for physical distancing, wearing face coverings, and enhanced cleaning. Violations will now be enforceable as a Class One misdemeanor through the Virginia Department of Health.
The on-site sale, consumption, and possession of alcohol is prohibited after 10:00 p.m. in any restaurant, dining establishment, food court, brewery, microbrewery, winery, distillery, or testing room. All such establishments must also close by midnight.

November 16, 2020:

On November 9, Governor Northam announced that Virginia will allocate federal CARES Act funds to the following organizations and programs:

$25 million to monthly retainer payments for day support programs that provide services for Virginians with developmental disabilities. These programs offer services and support to individuals who receive Medicaid’s developmental disability waiver services. Between March 12 and July 31, 2020, these providers could bill Medicaid for retainer payments instead of services. New budget language extends the ability of the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to offer similar payments through the end of December, using the CARES Act funding. DMAS will administer the payments and determine eligibility. Payments will cover the period from August 1 to December 30, 2020.
$22 million to support Virginia’s private institutions on higher education. These funds will be used to support COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts at Virginia’s private non-profit colleges and universities. The State Council for Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) will distribute the funds based on COVID-19 expenses incurred between July 1 and November 1, 2020. The funds will support pandemic-related expenditures including PPE, sanitization and cleaning, and testing for students, faculty, and staff.
$60 million to support municipal utility relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding, combined with the Governor’s proposed budget amendment to provide $60 million for jurisdictional utilities, will direct a total of $120 million for residential and non-residential utility customers impacted by the ongoing public health crisis.
$7 million to Virginia food banks to help Virginians who rely on food assistance.

On October 27, Governor Northam announced a new allocation of over $116 million in Federal CARES Act funds to support Virginia’s institutions of higher education. In accordance with the state General Assembly’s recently advanced budget, the funding will be distributed to public universities and medical centers to support telework and distance learning infrastructure, PPE, sanitization and cleaning, and testing for students, faculty, and staff.

On October 23, Governor Northam announced that $22 million in federal CARES Act funding will be will used to create a statewide program to distribute COVID-19 vaccines when such vaccines are approved for public use. Virginia submitted its vaccination plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on October 1, 2020. The $22 million will support the Virginia Department of Health’s vaccination preparation and planning through the end of 2020. The Virginia Department of Health estimates the vaccination program will cost approximately $120 million.

The vaccination plan outlines important aspects for preparing and implementing a COVID-19 vaccination program including:

Assumption, variables, and scenarios that can impact vaccine planning
Measures to identify and estimate critical populations and establish vaccine priority groups
Measures for recruiting providers, enrollment, and training
Process for vaccination allocation, ordering, distribution, inventory management, and reporting doses administered
Guidelines for proper vaccine storage and handling
Methods for second dose reminders to ensure compliance with vaccine dosing intervals
Systems for vaccine safety monitoring
Procedures for vaccination program monitoring, including online dashboards
Efforts to build confidence and inform the public about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, working with trusted community partners

The Governor stated that the Virginia Department of Health is committed to distributing the vaccine equitably. Health officials are planning for ways to vaccinate large numbers of people while maintaining social distancing.

Also, on October 23, Governor Northam announced that $3 million in federal CARES Act funds have been allocated to reimburse members of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics for those clinics’ COVID-19 related expenses, including PPA, sanitation measures, telehealth, and hiring new staff.

On October 21, Governor Northam along with First Lady Pamela Northam announced that $65.8 million in new funding has been allocated to increase access to child care and support child care providers amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This money is supported by $58.3 million in Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars as well as a reallocation of $7.5 million in Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funding through the federal CARES Act.

Governor Northam also announced that he signed 16 new laws and proposed changes to five bills that will support the state’s ongoing COVID-19 response, among other things. The Governor signed the following laws to support COVID-19 response and recovery efforts:

House Bill (HB) 5041 and Senate Bill (SB) 5042 require the Board of Health to establish protocols related to safe nursing home, hospice, and nursing facility visits.
HB 5048 and SB 5090 provide additional clarity to the Virginia Department of Health regarding publication of disease outbreak data.
HB 5093 and SB 5117 allow a $500 civil penalty for violations of a Governor’s Executive Order, instead of the Class 1 misdemeanor previously required by Virginia Code.
HB 5047 strengthens Virginia’s anti-price gouging laws during declared states of emergency.
SB 5039 establishes a formal program for the purchase and distribution of personal protective equipment during a public health threat.
HB 5087 extends the date by which the Virginia Employment Commission is required to establish and implement a short-time compensation program and removes the program’s sunset clause.
SB 5083 requires Virginia school boards to publicly post their plans and strategies for mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
SB 5017 grants the state the ability to establish and enforce health standards at local correctional facilities used by ICE or other federal agencies.
HB 5046 and SB 5080 expand Medicaid coverage of telemedicine care. The Governor also added an emergency clause to make the legislation effective immediately.
HB 5115 expands eviction protections for Virginians who experienced a loss of wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Northam added an emergency clause to make the legislation effective immediately.

On October 16, Governor Northam announced that the Department of the Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program returned more than $67.8 million in unclaimed property to Virginians to fiscal year 2020, representing over 111,000 asset accounts. New virtual outreach has been implemented this year to assist individuals with filing their claims amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

September 29, 2020:

Governor Northam announced on September 29 more than $8.4 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for 14 projects that will help rural communities across Virginia recover from the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as an additional $1.7 million in CDBG for three projects in James City and York counties and the city of Williamsburg that will assist local governments and community partners in meeting the needs of Virginia families and small businesses impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This year, more than $20.4 million has been distributed to communities across Virginia through the CDBG program. Funding can be used for:

Construction or rehab of structures for shelters
Testing or equipment manufacturing
Training programs for healthcare workers or service industry jobs transitioning to food or pharmaceutical delivery systems
Acquisition costs for telework or telemedicine services
Job creation or business development for manufacturing of COVID-related materials
Business assistance for job training or re-tooling business services to reopen and adapt in a new environment
Small business recovery funds for rent and mortgage assistance
Personal protective equipment, sanitization, dining equipment, and barrier devices to meet social distancing requirements

September 23, 2020:

On September 21, 2020, Governor Northam announced that Rebuild VA, the $70 million economic recovery fund launched in August, is expanding its eligibility criteria to allow more small businesses to apply. Businesses that received funding from the CARES Act and supply chain partners of businesses whose normal operations were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are now eligible to receive grants of up to $10,000. Businesses that have received federal funds must certify that they will only use the Rebuild VA grant for recurring expenses and that the grant will not be used to cover the same expenses as the other CARES Act funds. Eligible businesses and nonprofits must demonstrate that their normal operations were limited by Governor Northam’s Executive Orders Fifty-Three or Fifty-Five, or that they were directly impacted by the closure of such businesses. Businesses must also certify that they have not received grant or loan dollars from federal, state, or local CARES Act funded programs, or if they have received CARES Act funding, that they will use the Rebuild VA grant only for recurring expenses.

Rebuild VA still requires that businesses and nonprofit organizations must be in good standing, have annual gross revenues of no more than $1.5 million, and have no more than 25 employees. Rebuild VA funding may be utilized for the following eligible expenses:

Payroll support, including paid sick, medical, or family leave, and costs related to the continuation of group health care benefits during those periods of leave;
Employee salaries;
Mortgage payments, rent, and utilities;
Principal and interest payments for any business loans from national or state-chartered banking, savings and loan institutions, or credit unions, that were incurred before or during the emergency;
Eligible personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfecting materials, or other working capital needed to address the COVID-19 response.

August 18, 2020:

On August 18, 2020, Governor Northam proposed voting protections for the November election in light of COVID-19. This proposal included $2 million for prepaid return postage on all absentee ballots, expressly permitting localities to implement secure drop off locations, and allow voters to fix errors in absentee ballots.

On August 18, 2020, Governor Northam issued Executive Order Seventy to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in state-operated psychiatric hospitals. This executive order

Allows psychiatric hospitals operating at 100% capacity to decline temporary detention of individuals who are not under emergency custody
Requires any new admissions or releases must undergo a COVID-19 screening before being admitted or released.

The executive order will be in effect until Executive Order 51 is amended or rescinded.

August 13, 2020:

On August 13, Governor Northam announced that Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) will award over $5.5 million in grants to support projects to address economic and public health challenged created by COVID-19. The newest projects to receive funding are focused on strengthening the health sciences workforce pipeline, advancing new renewable energy ventures, and developing a regional service network for entrepreneurs. The grant awards will leverage an additional $7,732,043 in non-state sources to assist with economic diversification and recovery efforts throughout Virginia. Since beginning in 2017, GO Virginia has funded 114 projects and awarded approximately $37.5 million to support regional economic development efforts. For more information on GO Virginia, click here.

On August 13, Governor Northam announced Virginia Department of Health will conduct pediatric COVID-19 serology study in Northern Virginia. This study will measure the proportion of children with antibodies to COVID-19. Northern Virginia was selected for the study due to the number of positive COVID-19 pediatric cases reported in the region. This study will provide information on the number of children that have been infected with COVID-19 in Northern Virginia and statewide, including those who may have had mild or asymptomatic infections.

August 11, 2020:

On August 11, Governor Northam announced 18 communities will receive $278,000 in Virginia Main Street grants to accelerate economic revitalization of downtown districts. Virginia Main Street grants are administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Downtown Investment Grants may be used for design and economic vitality projects in historic downtown neighborhoods located in designated Virginia Main Street communities.
- Nine of these grants were awarded to the designated Main Street towns of Culpeper, Luray, South Boston, St. Paul, Wytheville, Danville, Franklin, Fredericksburg, and Lynchburg.
Commercial District Affiliate Grants may be used toward projects in historic commercial neighborhoods located in more than 90 Virginia Main Street affiliate communities.
- Nine of these grants were awarded to the towns of Bedford, Cape Charles, Colonial Beach, Honaker, Onancock, Tazewell, Buena Vista, Covington, and Martinsville.

August 10, 2020:

On August 7, 2020, the Virginia Supreme Court approved Governor Northam’s temporary statewide moratorium on eviction proceedings from August 10, 2020 to September 7, 2020. This moratorium will halt all eviction proceedings related to failure to pay rent. The moratorium is the second step Governor Northam has made to help individuals facing evictions. The first step was the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program, which was launched in June. For more information on tenant’s rights, click here.

August 5, 2020:

On August 5, 2020, Governor Northam announced the launch of COVIDWISE, an app notifying users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Individuals must opt-in by downloading the free app.
The app does not use personal information or location data.
The app does generate and share Bluetooth keys and anonymously share these keys with nearby devices that also have the app if the individuals are in close proximity for at least 15 minutes.
Users can anonymously report a positive COVID test
COVIDWISE may notify any app user that came into contact with the COVID positive individual, taking into account date of exposure, duration of exposure, and proximity to the individual (by using Bluetooth signal strength).

August 4, 2020:

On August 4, Governor Northam announced an interstate compact with Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Ohio to each spend $500,000 to purchase FDA approved rapid antigen tests, which can give COVID-19 test results within 20 minutes. The states are hoping that by joining together private manufacturers will scale up production of the antigen tests. This bipartisan coalition will combine state’s purchasing power to get rapid testing supplies to COVID-19 hotspot communities as quickly as possible.

July 29, 2020:

On June 28, Governor Northam announced that the Commonwealth will distribute $644.6 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding to local governments in its second and final round of allocations of funds received in connection with the CARES Act. The federal CARES Act established the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) to provide funding to states and eligible units of local government navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Virginia received approximately $3.1 billion as its share of the $150 billion CRF. This second round of allocations will be equivalent to the amount each locality received in the first round on June 1, 2020. The Secretary of Finance issued an updated memorandum to cities and counties regarding the second and final allocation of federal CRF dollars. The updated memorandum, which includes the distributions by locality, is available here.

To receive the second allocation, localities must submit a new certification form and complete an online survey regarding the use of their CRF dollars. After these two documents are completed and submitted, the Department of Accounts will initiate the transfer of funds to the local Treasurer. Localities can expect to receive the transfer from the State Comptroller within five business days following confirmation of receipt of the completed documents.

On June 28, Governor Northam signed Executive Order 68 to place additional restrictions on the Eastern Region of the state (Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Williamsburg, Newport News, Poquoson, James City County and York County). These restrictions will take effect 12:00 a.m. on July 31, 2020. This order adds to Executive Order 67, it does not replace it.

Restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms must continue to comply with Executive Order 67 as well as additional compliance measures:
- No alcoholic beverages may be sold, consumed, or possessed on premises after 10:00 p.m. in any restaurant, dining establishment, food court, brewery, microbrewery, distillery, winery, or tasting room.
- Alcoholic beverages may be sold via delivery or take-out after 10:00 p.m.
- All restaurant, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms must close by 12:00 a.m.
- Indoor dining in restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms may not exceed 50% of the lowest occupancy load on the certificate of occupancy
- All parties, whether seated together or across multiple tables, must be limited to 50 patrons or less.
Additionally, all public and private in-person gatherings of more than 50 individuals are prohibited.
- This does not include more than 50 individuals gathering while performing functions of their employment
- This does not apply to family member gatherings if those members are living in the same residence
- This DOES include religious services
Religious services must be limited to no more than 50 individuals and continue to be in compliance with Executive Order 67, which states:
- Individuals at religious services must be 6 feet apart, excluding family members
- Seating and common areas must be marked in six-foot physical distancing increments
- Items used to distribute food or beverages must be disposable and discarded after one use
- Frequently-contracted surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected before and after any religious service
- Signage at the entrance must state no one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 is permitted to participate in religious services
- Signage must be posted to remind individuals to social distance and to stay home if they are unwell

July 28, 2020:

July 28, Governor Northam announced an executive order that will go into effect Friday, July 31, 2020 for the Hampton Roads area (Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Williamsburg, Newport News, Poquoson, James City County and York County). This order is anticipated to last at least two weeks, until August 14, 2020.This order will

Prohibit selling alcohol in the Hampton Roads area after 10p.m.
Restaurants must only allow 50% capacity and close at midnight.
Public and private social gatherings above 50 people will be prohibited.

July 27, 2020:

On July 25, Governor Northam announced he was considering taking additional steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 if numbers continued to rise. Northam is set to give a coronavirus update on Tuesday, July 28 at 2pm EDT.

On July 27, Governor Northam announced $70 million for small businesses and nonprofit organizations through Rebuild VA. The grants will be given for approximately 7,000 applicants in value up to $10,000 to cover eligible expenses. Applications open on August 10, 2020. More information can be found here.

Eligible businesses and nonprofits include
- Food and beverage establishments
- Non-essential retail
- Exercise and fitness
- Entertainment and public amusement
- Personal care and personal grooming services
- Private campground and overnight summer camps.
To qualify, the business or nonprofit must
- Be in good standing
- Have annual gross revenue of no more than $1.5 million
- Have no more than 25 employees
Businesses must also certify that they have not received federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds or other funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Eligible expenses include
- Payroll support, including paid sick, medical, or family leave, and costs related to the continuation of group health care benefits during those periods of leave;
- Employee salaries;
- Mortgage payments, rent, and utilities;
- Principal and interest payments for any business loans from national or state-chartered banking, savings and loan institutions, or credit unions, that were incurred before or during the emergency;
- Eligible personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfecting materials, or other working capital needed to address COVID-19 response.

July 16, 2020:

On July 16, 2020, Governor Northam announced the adoption of statewide emergency workplace safety standards in response to COVID-19. After Governor Northam directed the creation of enforceable regulations in May, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s Safety and Health Codes Board voted today to approve an emergency temporary standard on infectious disease prevention. These first-in-the-nation safety rules will protect Virginia workers by mandating appropriate personal protective equipment, sanitation, social distancing, infectious disease preparedness and response plans, record keeping, training, and hazard communications in workplaces across the Commonwealth. Newly adopted standards require all employers to:

To mandate social distancing measures and face coverings for employees in customer-facing positions and when social distancing is not possible
Provide frequent access to hand washing or hand sanitizer
Regularly clean high-contact surfaces
Employees be notified within 24 hours if a coworker tests positive for the virus. Employees who are known or suspected to be positive for COVID-19 cannot return to work for 10 days or until they receive two consecutive negative tests.

These temporary emergency standards will remain in effect for six months and can be made permanent through the process defined in state law.

July 6, 2020:

Governor Northam announced that bar seating and congregating areas will remain prohibited in restaurants, despite the fact that the Commonwealth has moved into Phase 3 of Forward Virginia Plan. The Governor believes that this will preclude patrons from disregarding social distancing guidelines. Restaurants are permitted to use non-bar seating in the bar area, providing there is a minimum of six feet between tables provided.

On July 2, 2020, Governor Northam announced more an $10 million in Affordable Special Needs Housing (ASNH) loans for fourteen projects across the State. The loans will be used toward creating and preserving 790 affordable housing units for low-income and very low-income residents. The funding will be provided from the federal HOME Investment Partnership Program, the federal National Housing Fund (NHTF), and the Virginia Housing Trust Fund (VHTF). The projects will support new construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing and permanent supportive housing for vulnerable populations and will leverage over $181 million in additional federal, state, local, and private lending resources.

June 30, 2020:

In accordance with Governor Northam’s announcement last week, Virginia will be moving into Phase 3 of its Forward Virginia Plan starting July 1, in an effort to continue reopening the state (see here). The transition into Phrase 3 still includes the mask mandate and social distancing recommendations. Phase 3 of the plan includes, among other things:

Groups of no more than 250 persons are permitted to gather.
Swimming pools and gyms can operate at 75% capacity.
Restaurants and other non-essential businesses can operate at full capacity with physical distancing measures in place.
Entertainment venues can operate at 50% capacity.

Phase 3 continues to require businesses to post signage that provides public remainders regarding physical distancing, gatherings, options for high-risk individuals, and staying home if sick. Virginia’s guidelines explicitly indicate that if establishments fail to implement mandatory requirements, they will be forced to close until they comply. Additional business sector specific guidelines can be found here.

June 29, 2020:

On Monday, June 29, 2020, Governor Northam launched the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP) to assist residents who are facing eviction or foreclosure. The Department of Housing and Community Development will administer the program which provides $50 million in CARES Act funding for Virginians facing eviction or foreclosure due to the impact of COVID-19.

RMRP will also provide short-term financial assistance on behalf of households in the form of rent and mortgage payments. In order to qualify for the program, eligible households must demonstrate an inability to make rent or mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Monthly rent or mortgage must be at or below 150 percent fair market rent, and eligible households must have a gross household income at or below 80 percent of area median income (AMI). RMRP will also give precedence to households without other federal and state eviction or foreclosure protections. From June 29 to July 20, priority will be given to households with current gross incomes equal to or below 50 percent of AMI. After July 20, households with current gross incomes at or below 80 percent of AMI will be also be included.

June 24, 2020:

Previously, on June 18, 2020 Governor Northam announced a plan that outlines Phase 3 of the “Forward Virginia” plan, but had not yet chosen a target date to transition into the phase. On June 23, 2020, Governor Northam announced that the Commonwealth will move into Phase 3 on July 1, 2020, in an effort to continue the state’s Forward Virginia plan. Phase 3 guidelines that are applicable to all business sectors include some of the following:

Social gatherings should be limited to 50% occupancy of the event space, if applicable, or 250 participants, whichever is less.
Implement staggered shifts for both work periods and break periods. Consider cohort scheduling where groups of employees only work with employees in their group.
Limit the number of employees in break rooms and stagger breaks to discourage gatherings.
Events that cannot restrict access to the general public should not take place.
Table resets must be done by an employee who has washed their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds just prior to reset activities.

Additional business specific guidelines and mandatory requirements can be found here.

June 22, 2020:

On June 19, 2020, Governor Northam announced new guidelines and testing requirements for reopening long-term care facilities. The Governor plans to use $246 million, primarily from the CARES Act funding, to assist long-term care facilities in their response to COVID-19. Additionally, the Governor is directing the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to make public facility-specific data regarding COVID-19 cases and deaths associated with long-term care facilities.

Virginia will spend an additional $246 million in new funding to support nursing homes and assisted living facilities in addressing staffing shortages, increasing infection control measures, and purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as complying with the new testing requirements. The majority of funding will go to nursing facilities, which receive Medicaid payments. More than $56 million is provided for periodic testing of nursing home residents and staff. This additional funding includes $152 million from the Provider Relief Fund that long-term care facilities have received for COVID-related expenses.

June 18, 2020:

On June 18, 2020 Governor Northam announced a plan that outlines the third phase of the “Forward Virginia” plan, in an effort to continue mitigating public health restrictions, while also combatting the spread of COVID-19. However, Virginia has not yet set a target date to enter into Phase Three. Phase Three includes key changes, including:

Virginia’s 50-person limit on gatherings established in Phase 2 will increase to a 250-person limit
Non-essential retail establishment’ capacity limit will be lifted, but physical distancing measures are still required
Restaurants’ capacity limit will be lifted, but physical distancing measures are still required
Entertainment venues (including museums and zoos) will have their capacity limit raised to 50% with a maximum of 1,000 people in any space
Gyms and fitness centers will have their capacity limit raised from 30% to 75%

In-depth Phase Three guidelines for different business sectors in the Commonwealth can be found here. A slide show from Governor Norman’s presentation on “Forward Virginia” on June 18, 2020 can be found here.

June 16, 2020:

On June 12, 2020 Governor Northam announced a new way for local governments to support agriculture- and forestry-based businesses during the COVID-19 emergency through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund Planning Grant program. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), which administers the AFID Planning Grant program, will expedite award decisions for applications addressing COVID-19 related challenges. Newly revised program guidelines also provide broad flexibility in the types of projects that can be supported and allow for a reduced local match requirement for economically distressed communities. Funding available through the AFID Planning Grant program is designed to empower localities to develop creative solutions tailored to their unique needs. The Governor’s AFID fund is a discretionary, performance-based economic development incentive that is specifically for agriculture and forestry value-added or processing projects. While AFID Planning Grants can fund a wide range of activities that support agriculture- and forestry-based industries, VDACS is currently encouraging localities to focus on addressing the unique problems created by COVID-19, especially the loss of market access through some traditional channels. Additional information about the AFID Planning Grant program is available here.

The Governor also announced that the Framework for Addiction Analysis and Community Transformation (FAACT), Virginia’s cross-agency, cloud-based, data-sharing and analytics platform, is expanding to help the Commonwealth mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and maintain an adequate supply of resources. FAACT combines data from a variety of state and local organizations to generate actionable insight about the contributing factors to opioid use and the most effective ways for communities to respond. Now, Virginia is using this framework to support its continued response to COVID-19. Data included within FAACT is updated frequently, in some cases, as often as every 15 minutes, to provide Virginia’s leaders with near real-time information to make critical response decisions. As a result, the Commonwealth will be able to quickly identify hospitals in need of supplies and pharmaceuticals, hospitals and regions that have surge capacity (i.e. available hospital beds and ventilators or the ability to quickly stand up an overflow hospital), and locations with the largest outbreaks of COVID-19 cases.

June 15, 2020:

On June 15, 2020, Governor Northam announced nearly $15 million for a new program (Economic Resilience and Recovery Program) designed to respond to some of the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The GO Virginia Board approved a policy to implement the new program with up to $14.66 million in GO Virginia funds, with each GO Virginia regional council able to apply for up to $1 million to support strategic initiatives in response to the economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications will be accepted through the nine GO Virginia Regional Councils, which you can learn more about here. The following four projects have been administratively approved through the new Economic Resilience and Recovery Program, totaling $341,800:

GO Virginia Region 2 and the Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology at Virginia Tech will receive $100,000 for Rapid High-Throughput COVID-19 Testing project. The project will deliver timely COVID-19 test results to the New River Valley and Roanoke health districts with a projected 1,000 test samples analyzed per day.
GO Virginia Region 2 and the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council will receive $97,200 to offer virtual education, mentoring, and business assistance programming to companies throughout the region.
GO Virginia Region 3 will receive $75,000 for a critical drone test delivery project to assess the efficacy and safety of increased last-mile delivery of COVID-19 medical supplies, tests, and equipment by commercial drones.
GO Virginia Region 7 will receive $69,600 for the Back to Work Website and Information Program, which will create a “one-stop shop” for businesses in the region. This project is a partnership between the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance, and will be guided by the newly formed Back to Work Leadership Task Force.

June 10, 2020:

On June 2, 2020, Governor Northam signed Executive Order Sixty-Five and presented the second phase of the “Forward Virginia” plan to continue safely and gradually easing public health restrictions while containing the spread of COVID-19. Phase 2 began Friday, June 5. The Governor also amended Executive Order Sixty-One directing Northern Virginia and the City of Richmond to remain in Phase One. See announcement here.

Executive Order Sixty-Five modifies public health guidance in Executive Order Sixty-One and Sixty-Two and establishes guidelines for Phase Two. Under Phase Two, the Commonwealth will maintain a Safer at Home strategy with continued recommendations for social distancing, teleworking, and requiring individuals to wear face coverings in indoor public settings.
The maximum number of individuals permitted in a social gathering will increase from 10 to 50 people.
Restaurant and beverage establishments may offer indoor dining at 50 percent occupancy.
Fitness centers may open indoor areas at 30 percent occupancy.
Certain recreation and entertainment venues without shared equipment may open with restrictions. These venues include museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and outdoor concert, sporting, and performing arts venues. Swimming pools may also expand operations to both indoor and outdoor exercise, diving, and swim instruction.
The current guidelines for religious services, non-essential retail, and personal grooming services will largely remain the same in Phase Two. Overnight summer camps, most indoor entertainment venues, amusement parks, fairs, and carnivals will also remain closed in Phase Two.

On June 8, 2020, Governor Northam announced a temporary statewide moratorium on all eviction proceedings in Virginia. The Governor requested this moratorium in a letter sent to Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Lemons this weekend. The Chief Justice’s order issued today remains in effect through June 28 and modifies the Court’s earlier Declaration of Judicial Emergency in response to COVID-19. Details of the Governor’s rent relief initiative, supported by federal CARES Act funding, will be announced in the coming weeks.

On June 9, 2020, Governor Northam announced a phased approach that allows Virginia schools to slowly resume in-person classes for summer school and the coming academic year. Local school divisions will have discretion on how to operate within each phase and may choose to offer more limited in-person options than the phase permits, if local public health conditions necessitate. Entry into each phase is dependent on public health gating criteria, corresponding with the Forward Virginia plan. The opportunities for in-person instruction in each phase are as follows:

Phase One: special education programs and child care for working families
Phase Two: Phase One plus preschool through third grade students, English learners, and summer camps in school buildings
Phase Three: all students may receive in-person instruction as can be accommodated with strict social distancing measures in place, which may require alternative schedules that blend in-person and remote learning for students
Beyond Phase Three: divisions will resume “new-normal” operations under future guidance

Beginning with Phase Two, local divisions and private schools must submit plans to the Virginia Department of Education that include policies and procedures for implementing Virginia Department of Health and CDC mitigation strategies. State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver, MD, MA has issued an Order of Public Health Emergency that requires all Virginia PreK-12 public and private schools to develop plans that demonstrate adherence to public health guidance. Public schools must also outline plans to offer new instruction to all students regardless of operational status. Detailed information on each phase can be found in the guidance document available here.

May 29, 2020:

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced in a press conference today that Richmond, northern Virginia, and Accomcak County will join the rest of the state in Phase One of reopening this Friday He also said the earliest the rest of the state could enter Phase Two would be Friday, June 5.

Regarding the Executive Order 63, issued Tuesday, mentioned in the email below, it states that beginning Friday, May 29th, everyone ages 10 and up will be required to wear masks in the following places:

Inside all brick and mortar retail establishments (essential and nonessential);
Inside all personal care and grooming establishments (salons, spas, massage and tanning salons, tattoo, shops, etc.);
Inside places where people congregate (this doesn’t apply to residences);
Inside food and beverage establishments, except when eating;
Inside entertainment or recreation businesses (racetracks, horse racing facilities, theaters, museums, bowling alleys, skating rinks, arcades, amusement parks, public and private social clubs, aquariums, escape rooms, arts and craft facilities, performing arts centers concert venues, and all places of indoor amusement and entertainment; face coverings are required at outdoor businesses if a distance of 6 ft. from every person can’t be maintained);
On public transportation (includes train stations, taxis, cars for hire, rideshares, any waiting areas associated with boarding; this doesn’t apply in areas under federal jurisdiction or control); and
When accessing state or local services to secure public services (doesn’t include students in daycare centers or schools, or colleges).
Press release.
Executive order.

Masks will not be required to be worn while eating and drinking or while exercising. People who have trouble breathing, or are unable to remove the mask without help, are exempt from the requirement, as are people whose health conditions prevent them from wearing one. People do not have to wear masks when communicating with the hearing impaired, and can temporarily remove them when necessary to secure government or medical services. Face coverings may be removed to participate in religious rituals. Employees of the Department of Labor and Industry are exempt from these requirements.

The Virginia Department of Health will enforce the mask requirements, not law enforcement agencies; violation is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

May 28, 2020:

Governor Ralph Northam announced in a press conference today that Richmond, northern Virginia, and Accomcak County will join the rest of the state in Phase One of reopening this Friday He also said the earliest the rest of the state could enter Phase Two would be Friday, June 5.

The Executive Order 63, issued Tuesday, states that beginning Friday, May 29, everyone ages 10 and up will be required to wear masks in the following places:

Inside all brick and mortar retail establishments (essential and nonessential);
Inside all personal care and grooming establishments (salons, spas, massage and tanning salons, tattoo, shops, etc.);
Inside places where people congregate (this doesn’t apply to residences);
Inside food and beverage establishments, except when eating;
Inside entertainment or recreation businesses (racetracks, horse racing facilities, theaters, museums, bowling alleys, skating rinks, arcades, amusement parks, public and private social clubs, aquariums, escape rooms, arts and craft facilities, performing arts centers concert venues, and all places of indoor amusement and entertainment; face coverings are required at outdoor businesses if a distance of 6 ft. from every person can’t be maintained);
On public transportation (includes train stations, taxis, cars for hire, rideshares, any waiting areas associated with boarding; this doesn’t apply in areas under federal jurisdiction or control); and
When accessing state or local services to secure public services (doesn’t include students in daycare centers or schools, or colleges).

The Virginia Department of Health will enforce the mask requirements, not law enforcement agencies; violation is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

May 26, 2020:

On May 26, Governor Ralph Northam announced face coverings will be required inside public establishments starting Friday, May 29, 2020.

Masks will be required:

Everyone ages 10 and up
- Children age 9 and younger do not need to wear masks, though the governor recommended them for children age 3 and older.
Inside all brick and mortar retail establishments
Inside all personal care & grooming establishments
Inside places where people congregate
Inside food & beverage establishments, except when eating
On public transportation
When accessing state or local services

Masks will not be required:

While eating or drinking
While exercising
If you have trouble breathing or are unable to remove the mask without help
If your health conditions prohibit wearing a face covering

The Virginia Department of Health will enforce this rule, rather than law enforcement. WSLS 10 News in Virginia reported, “The governor’s chief of staff, Clark Mercer, said that enforcement is designed for business that are grossly negligent of these requirements.” Additionally, “With regards to when these requirements would be lifted, the governor said that as soon as it’s safe to do so, he will.”

The Virginia state and local governments are ordering masks and will distribute them to people who don’t have access to them or cannot afford them.

May 19, 2020:

Governor Ralph Northam announced a diverse set of education stakeholders participating in the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Education Work Group to help chart a path forward for determining how schools can safely reopen later this year. In the coming weeks, Governor Northam will outline a roadmap for Virginia schools, colleges, and universities to return to in-person learning in a safe, equitable, and responsible manner.

Governor Ralph Northam shared new resources to protect Virginians from eviction and support individuals who have lost their job or income due to COVID-19. These tools include StayHomeVirginia.com, a new website to help Virginians navigate housing programs, services, and resources. The website offers guidance on working with landlords, financial institutions, and other organizations to use eviction and foreclosure protections during this health crisis. Resources include relief for private mortgage holders, multifamily complexes, and tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Northam also signed House Bill 1420 to cap late fees on rent at 10 percent of the periodic rent or 10 percent of the remaining balance due, whichever is lesser. This new law will help prevent cascading late fees, allow charges only on the amount due, and set a maximum late fee percentage for the first time in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Additionally, Governor Northam signed House Bill 340 to delay rental evictions or mortgage foreclosures for individuals who are not currently covered under the protections offered through the federal CARES Act or state and local protections. Under this new law, a tenant may receive a 60-day continuance of an eviction proceeding from a court if they appear in court and provide written evidence that they are not receiving payments or wages due to the state of emergency declared by the Governor. Additionally, homeowners or landlords that rent one, four, or multifamily units in the Commonwealth can pause a foreclosure proceeding for 30 days if the individual provides their lender with written evidence showing a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 18, 2020:

Governor Northam announced today that the city of Virginia Beach would be allowed to open its beaches to swimming and sunbathing on Friday of this week. Nonetheless, some restrictions will remain in place such as no large groups, group sports, tents, or alcohol. Other beaches in the state remain closed except for fishing and exercise.

May 15, 2020:

Governor Northam announced Phase One of the plan to re-open the state, “Forward Virginia.” Phase One moves to a Safer at Home Strategy that maintains certain restrictions from the Stay at Home order and allows for limited easing of restrictions in other sectors. Phase One allows localities to delay the ease of restrictions, based on the conditions in that area and will begin no sooner than today, May 15, 2020.

For Husch Blackwell’s in-depth review of Virginia’s reopening plans, click here.

Governor Northam also announced that Accomack County and the City of Richmond would delay implementation of Phase One of the “Forward Virginia” plan to safely and gradually ease restrictions on certain business operations. Both the City of Richmond and Accomack County requested these extensions, and will enter Phase One no earlier than midnight on Thursday, May 28.

May 13, 2020:

Governor Northam said today that northern Virginia’s reopening in Phase One of the state’s reopening plan would be delayed until May 28th at the earliest, at least two weeks prior to the rest of the state entering Phase One. This announcement came after several northern Virginia cities and counties expressed the feeling that it was too soon for them to reopen like the rest of the state. Governor Northam had previously set May 15th as the tentative date for entering Phase One for the state. This announcement was formalized in an executive order the same day.

May 12, 2020:

Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday that the northern part of the state may remain under stay-at-home orders for two weeks while the rest of the state began reopening nonessential businesses and public space. The order can be found here.

Virginia may enter Phase One of reopening on Friday, May 15.
Executive Order 62 allows Northern Virginia localities to delay implementation until midnight on Thursday, May 28.
In conjunction with this order, Gov. Northam and State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver, MD, MA issued Order of Public Health Emergency Number Four, supporting the Executive Order.

May 8, 2020:

Governor Ralph Northam outlined the framework for Phase One of his reopening plan (titled #Forward Virginia). The plan will:

Likely begin to be implemented next Friday, May 15.
Allow non-essential retail to open at 50% occupancy, and require employees to wear face masks.
Require restaurant and beverage services to remain takeout and delivery only.
Allow businesses with a permit for outside seating to offer limited outdoor dining at 50% capacity. Employees would be required to wear masks, and tables would need to be spaced.
Require gyms, entertainment-related businesses (i.e. bowling alleys, theaters) will remain closed.
Allow outdoor exercise with up to 10 participants, with 10 feet of distance between each person, following guidelines for equipment (see Phase One Plan).
Continue to impose a 10-person limit for fishing and exercise on beaches.
Allow places of worship to conduct services at 50% capacity.
Allow salons to open on an appointment-only basis, at 50% capacity. Customers and workers will be required to wear face masks, except for certain services (see Phase One Plan).

You can view the Forward Virginia Blueprint, which also contains details for Phase II and Phase III, here.

May 6, 2020:

Governor Northam announced today that he was extending business and social restrictions due to expire May 8 for another week. However, he said the state would then move into “Phase One” of reopening the economy as planned on May 15th if things continued moving in the right direction. He also said that he would allow certain regions to opt against easing restrictions if they felt the need, although he maintained he would have the final decision making authority.

May 4, 2020:

At a press conference this afternoon, Governor Northam announced he is extending the state’s non-essential business closure order until the night of May 14th, but expects to begin some level of reopening afterward. That order had been set to expire on Friday. The state’s stay-at-home order remains in effect until June 10th. Northam said specifics will vary by region, and he referenced barber shops, restaurants, retailers, and gyms potentially being able to open with levels of safety protocols.

April 30, 2020:

Governor Ralph Northam announced that hospitals and dentists will be allowed to resume non-emergency procedures as of midnight Thursday, April 30. This allows dentist offices to reopen for all appointments, rather than just emergencies, and veterinarian offices to fully reopen as well. Additionally, the Governor announced that Virginians with privately held student loans are now eligible for at least 90 days' forbearance of their payments and to have late payment fees waived. Finally, the Governor referenced that they are looking at options for allowing certain regions of the state to reopen earlier than others.

April 29, 2020:

Governor Northam issued an executive order clarifying the limitations on liability for healthcare providers during the ongoing state of emergency in the Commonwealth. He also announced that non-emergency procedures that require use of personal protective equipment would be allowed to resume on May 1, 2020, when the executive order that suspended such procedures expires.

April 27, 2020:

Governor Northam amended Executive Order 57 to permit physicians assistants with two or more years of experience to practice without the immediate supervision of an attending physician.

The Governor also issued Executive Order 58, waiving co-pays for individuals insured by Medicaid and FAMIS. The order also waives certain requirements related to durable medical equipment and admission to nursing home facilities.

The Governor announced that he would issue Executive Order 59, postponing local elections originally scheduled for May 5, 2020. Elections will now be held on May 19, 2020.

April 23, 2020:

Governor Northam extended his order instructing all Virginia medical providers to abstain from performing any elective procedures, including surgeries, that require use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The order now extends to May 11, 2020. The Governor also extended the state-wide closure of its Department of Motor Vehicles offices.

April 17, 2020:

Governor Northam issued an executive order relaxing certain licensing restrictions for medical professionals and students. The order expands the use of telemedicine and permits Virginia fourth-year medical students, interns, residents, and fellows to practice in certain settings without oversight by a licensed physician. Nurse practitioners with two years of experience are also permitted to practice without oversight by a licensed physician. The order also permits doctors and mental health professionals from other jurisdictions to practice in Virginia in certain settings.

April 15, 2020:

In a press conference, Governor Northam stated that he was extending the end date of Executive Order 53 by two weeks. The order was originally set to expire on April 24, 2020. Executive Order 53 closed all indoor places of recreation, such as movie theaters and bowling alleys, as well as racetracks. The order also directed all non-essential businesses to only allow in ten customers at a time and comply with social distancing requirements, or to close. Violation of the order is a class 1 misdemeanor.

April 14, 2020:

Governor Northam issued an executive order postponing Virginia’s June 9, 2020 primary elections for a two week period in response to COVID-19. Virginia’s primary elections will be held on June 23, 2020.

April 10, 2020:

Governor Northam announced the creation of a new task force to oversee efforts to fight COVID-19 in nursing homes and long term care facilities.

April 8, 2020:

The Governor issued an executive directive to the Commonwealth’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Authority. The directive instructed the ABC Authority to defer the collection of license renewal fees for 90 days and to permit mixed beverage licensees and some distilleries to provide cocktails or other mixed beverages for take-out or delivery. The directive takes effect at 11:59 PM on April 9, 2020. Through its Twitter, the ABC Authority has said guidelines to implement the directive are forthcoming.

April 3, 2020:

The Commonwealth was declared as a major disaster area, retroactive to January 20, 2020. This declaration will allow Virginia’s state, local, and tribal governments to access additional federal funds.

April 1, 2020:

The Supreme Court of Virginia issued an order extending its declaration of a judicial emergency and continuing all civil and criminal cases to April 26, 2020 except for matters that are emergencies or that implicate a criminal defendant’s right to speedy trial. The order explicitly stated that routine civil cases, including warrants in debt, unlawful detainers, issuance of garnishments and writs of eviction will be continued.

March 31, 2020:

Governor Northam issued a Stay at Home Order for the Commonwealth that is effective immediately. The order directs all individuals to remain at their place of residence except for: traveling to obtain food or beverages; seeking medical attention, social services, emergency services, government services, or law enforcement assistance; taking care of other individuals or animals; outdoor activity and exercise, but only if they comply with social distancing requirements; traveling to the person’s place of residence, house of worship, or work; traveling to or from an educational institution; participation in volunteer or charitable organizations providing social services; and leaving one’s residence at the direction of a government entity, such as law enforcement, due to safety concerns.

The order prohibits all gatherings of more than 10 people. Universities, both public and private, must restrict education to distance learning. They may remain open for research and continued operations, but are instructed to practice social distancing. Businesses remain governed by Executive Order 53 and are directed to comply with social distancing if non-essential. Essential businesses should comply to the extent practicable. Violation of the order constitutes a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia, punishable by up to 1 year of jail time and by a fine of up to $2,500. The order remains in effect until June 10, 2020.

March 26, 2020:

Governor Northam issued an order on March 25 instructing all Virginia medical providers to abstain from performing any elective procedures, including surgeries, that require use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Though the Governor had previously requested medical providers to stop performing elective procedures, the order makes cessation of elective procedures mandatory.

The order applies to all free-standing endoscopy facilities; dental, orthodontic, and endodontic providers; and physician’s offices. It does not apply to outpatient visits at hospital clinics. The order prohibits any PPE-requiring procedure that would not result in harm to the patient if it is delayed. Explicitly excluded from the order are family planning procedures and procedures that, if delayed, would result in the worsening of a patient’s condition. Providers may still provide PPE-requiring treatment to patients with emergency or urgent needs. Violation of the order constitutes a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. The order remains in effect until April 24, 2020.

March 23, 2020:

Governor Northam issued an order closing all recreational facilities such as bowling alleys, racetracks, and theaters. Restaurants and similar establishments will be permitted to offer food and beverages for take-out, curbside, and delivery only. Non-essential retail establishments may only remain open if they limit the number of patrons in the store to ten or less, practice social distancing, and increase sanitization. Essential businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and home improvement stores will remain open. Virginia is also closing all public and private schools for the remainder of the academic year.

Governor Northam’s announcement made clear that this was not a shelter-in-place or stay-at-home order, but did state that Virginia would be banning all gatherings of more than 10 people and asked all residents to practice social distancing. The new restrictions will take effect at midnight at the end of March 24, 2020.

March 20, 2020:

Governor Northam issued an executive order waiving certain provisions of the Code of Virginia to permit hospitals and nursing homes to increase bed spaces without the need to seek further approval.

March 19, 2020:

Governor Northam announced increased access to healthcare for Medicaid recipients and low-income households, waiving co-pays and expanding telemedicine access. Governor Northam also expanded eligibility for Virginia’s Child Care Subsidy program and directed childcare providers to limit the number of people in each room to 10 and to prioritize care for children of essential personnel. The Governor also announced Virginia had been approved for Economic Injury Disaster Loans by the Small Business Administration, permitting Virginia businesses to seek disaster relief loans from the SBA. Tax deadlines for individuals and corporations were pushed back to June 1, 2020.

March 17, 2020:

Governor Northam announced a number of measures to support workers and businesses disrupted by the COVID-19 epidemic as well as additional restrictions on businesses in the state. Virginia waived the waiting period to receive unemployment and waived financial penalties for employers that experienced an increase in workers requesting unemployment benefits. Virginia also authorized funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to help employers remain open. Governor Northam also closed the Commonwealth’s Department of Motor Vehicles offices. Restaurants, fitness centers, and theaters were instructed restrict themselves to 10 patrons or fewer or close and Governor Northam issued a Public Health Emergency Order to allow law enforcement to enforce those directives.

March 16, 2020:

The Supreme Court of Virginia issued a judicial emergency order continuing all civil and criminal cases to April 6, 2020 except for matters that are emergencies or that implicate a criminal defendant’s right to speedy trial. This order has the effect of preventing unlawful detainer actions instituted by landlords or property managers until at least April 6th.

March 15, 2020:

Governor Northam announced a temporary state-wide ban on public gatherings of more than 100 people.

March 13, 2020:

Governor Northam directed all schools in Virginia to close for a minimum of two weeks.

March 12, 2020:

Governor Northam declared a state of emergency. The declaration allows Virginia to coordinate and request emergency resources and support in response to COVID-19. A state of emergency allows the Governor to access certain resources in order to increase the Commonwealth’s response. The Governor also activated the Virginia National Guard. The emergency declaration also waived state procurement regulations.

March 4, 2020:

The Commonwealth created an Incident Management team to coordinate its response to COVID-19 across the government.

Virginia: State-by-State COVID-19 Guidance

VIRGINIA

For more information on this state's COVID-19 rules: