Please note: As of April 15, 2021 we are no longer doing regularly scheduled updates to this page.
April 15, 2021:
On April 13, 2021, Governor Jim Justice announced that out of an abundance of caution and upon the recommendation released by the CDC and FDA, all use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in West Virginia will be immediately paused until further notice. Clinics that are scheduled to use the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will substitute with another vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) as supplies allow.
April 8, 2021:
On April 7, 2021, Governor Jim Justice urged all West Virginians age 65 and older who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. Vaccinations are now available to all West Virginians age 16 and older.
Governor Justice has directed the Joint Interagency Task Force to establish three fixed-location vaccination clinics in Berkeley, Kanawha, and Monongalia counties to ensure that every West Virginian age 65 and older has access to the vaccine. Individuals in this age range will continue to be prioritized until all who desire the vaccine have been vaccinated. West Virginians age 65 and older are urged to pre-register for an appointment online or by calling the West Virginia Vaccine Info Line at 1-833-734-0965. The info line is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
March 29, 2021:
On March 29, 2021, Governor Jim Justice announced that beginning the week of April 5, 2021, West Virginia will begin offering COVID-19 vaccinations to family members and caregivers of residents and staff members at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Long-term care facilities will schedule vaccinations in conjunction with visits by family members and other scheduled vaccine clinics at the facility.
On March 26, 2021, Governor Justice announced that a program West Virginia developed to help renters and landlords impacted by COVID-19 is open and accepting applications. The Mountaineer Rental Assistance Program, administered by the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF), offers direct financial assistance to renters who have lost their jobs and qualified for unemployment benefits, experienced a reduction in household income, suffered significant financial hardship as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, are at risk of being homeless, have been served an eviction notice, or are living in unhealthy conditions. Funding is available for households with incomes no more than 80% of the area median income, with priority given to households with incomes of no more than 50% of the area median and those in which one or more household member has been unemployed for 90 days. There is an application portal, and all who plan to apply are urged to do so early.
March 25, 2021:
Governor Justice announced he has signed Executive Order 9-21, allowing all types of live music performances to resume, effective March 25, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. Executive Order 9-21 also allows all summer camps to resume on May 1, 2021. Live music performances and summer camp operations must follow all applicable safety guidelines.
Governor Justice also announced he has signed Executive Order 10-21, which clarifies that the state’s Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR)’s color-coded County Alert System map will no longer be used to determine high school schedules in West Virginia. All high schools will join all of West Virginia’s Pre-K-8 schools in being open full-time and will remain open unless there is an active outbreak that would require a particular classroom within a school to close for safety reasons, as determined by local health and education officials. Governor Justice further urged students and school employees to continue following all applicable safety guidelines both during school and after school, especially during extracurricular activities.
March 22, 2021:
On March 22, 2021, Governor Jim Justice announced that West Virginia will start offering COVID-19 vaccines to all state residents age 16 and older, effective immediately. West Virginians age 65 and older will continue to be prioritized until all residents in that age range who want to receive the vaccine have been vaccinated.
Governor Justice also announced that beginning May 1, 2021, all fairs, festivals, and similar events will be allowed to resume.
On March 19, 2021, Governor Justice signed SB 277, the COVID-19 Jobs Protection Act. This legislation provides a legal framework for questions of COVID-19 liability and is intended to protect West Virginians, including individuals, health care providers, health care facilities, institutions of higher education, businesses, manufacturers, and others from certain claims related to COVID-19. SB 277 also provides businesses assurance that reopening will not expose them to undue liability if a person is exposed to COVID-19 while visiting the business.
March 15, 2021:
On March 15, 2021, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia has expanded the list of pre-existing medical conditions that qualify West Virginians to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. All vaccines are currently available to all West Virginians age 16 and older with any of the following pre-existing medical conditions: asthma, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, immunosuppression, lung fibrosis, blood disorders, liver disease, COPD, neurological disorders, high blood pressure, and chronic infectious diseases like HIV. This is in addition to the pre-existing conditions or situations which were previously announced as vaccine-eligible: down syndrome, intellectual and development disabilities and their caretakers, organ or bone marrow transplant, obesity (BMI greater than 35), sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, and pregnancy.
Governor Justice also announced that vaccines are now available to all essential workers as defined in Executive Order 9-20. This includes workers employed in certain industries and businesses who have not previously been eligible for the vaccine, including:
- Healthcare, public health operations, and health insurance companies;
- Grocery stores and pharmacies;
- Food, beverage, and agriculture;
- Essential governmental functions;
- Human services organizations and childcare facilities and providers;
- Essential infrastructure;
- Coal mining and coal-fired generation facilities;
- Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries;
- Transportation and travel related businesses and gas stations;
- Financial and insurance institutions;
- Hardware and supply stores; and
- Critical trades, mall, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services.
Finally, Governor Justice announced that beginning the week of March 22, 2021, pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers, large health system clinics, and primary care clinics will begin offering vaccines to their own list of recipients to ensure that all West Virginians who want a vaccine are able to receive one. All residents who wish to be vaccinated must pre-register here.
March 8, 2021:
On March 5, 2021, Governor Justice announced a series of executive orders aimed at loosening COVID-19 related restrictions on businesses, social gatherings, and youth travel sports. The changes were effective March 6, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. and include:
- Executive Order 8-21 increases the capacity limit for all restaurants and bars in the state to 100% (up from 75%) of the establishment’s seating capacity. This change applies only if social distancing can be maintained between groups. Bars may only increase capacity to the extent the bar has physical seating for each patron. No standing room is permitted.
- All previous capacity limitations for small businesses, retail stores, and grocery stores have been lifted.
- The capacity limit for all gyms, fitness centers, and museums have been increased to 100% of each establishment’s normal capacity.
- Executive Order 8-21 increases the limit for all purely social gatherings to 100 individuals. The limitation does not apply to any activity, business, or entity that has been deemed essential, such as religious services, weddings, group meetings, conferences, or other social events held for essential businesses and operations.
- All youth travel sports are permitted, except for games, practices, or any other types of competition within counties designated as “Red” in the DHHR’s County Alert System Map. The restriction on Red counties does not apply to teams that play in defined, relatively small geographic areas, such as within a single county or a few counties in the state of West Virginia.
The updates still require individuals and businesses to continue following all applicable safety guidelines including, but not limited to, mandatory face coverings and social distancing. Governor Justice further reiterated that West Virginia’s statewide mask mandate will remain in effect.
March 3, 2021:
On March 3, 2021, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia will immediately begin offering COVID-19 vaccines to additional state residents. West Virginia has now moved to Phase 2-A of its COVID-19 Vaccination Program. The vaccine is now available for all residents age 50 and older, all state education workers from 40 to 50 years old, and all West Virginians age 16 and older with any of the following pre-existing medical conditions:
- Down syndrome;
- Intellectual and developmental disabilities;
- Organ or bone marrow transplant;
- Obesity (BMI greater than 35);
- Sickle cell anemia;
- Cystic fibrosis; and
- Pregnancy.
Caretakers of those with congenital or acquired disease or intellectual and developmental disabilities are also vaccine eligible. The Joint Interagency Task Force for Vaccines will coordinate with health systems across the state to reach out to all individuals with qualifying medical conditions to assist them in scheduling an appointment to be vaccinated.
All West Virginians need to pre-register to receive the vaccine. Individuals with an occupation or pre-existing medical condition that would qualify them for vaccination under the newly-expanded allocation protocols should note their occupation or condition upon registration. West Virginians who are aged 65 and older will continue to be prioritized until all residents in this age range who want the vaccine have been vaccinated.
February 24, 2021:
On February 24, 2021, Governor Jim Justice announced the West Virginia Board of Education passed a motion requiring grades PreK-8 to return to five-day a week instruction statewide no later than March 3, 2021. This motion replaces the Board’s January 13, 2021 motion that required counties to offer at least blended learning. This does not affect families who have chosen virtual learning for their children; those children may continue virtual learning. The Board also recommended high schools return to five days of in-person instruction. At present, however, grades 9-12 may continue blended instruction if the infection rate in the community is too high.
February 22, 2021:
On February 19, 2021, Governor Justice announced that in light of the recent decrease in COVID-19 cases and the increase in the number of vaccinated West Virginians, he has issued a series of executive orders to lessen the restrictions on some businesses, schools, and social gatherings. All affected establishments must still follow applicable safety guidelines, including but not limited to, mandatory face coverings and social distancing. The orders are as follows:
- Executive Order 6-21 increases the maximum capacity limit for all restaurants and bars from 50 percent seating to 75 percent. Importantly, this change only applies if social distancing can be maintained. Bars may only increase capacity to the extent they have physical seating for every patron. This order went into effect February 20, 2021 at 12 a.m.
- The Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) has amended its rules on capacity limits for small businesses, retail stores, and grocery stores. For small businesses and retail, capacity may increase from 2 people per 1,000 square feet to 4 people per 1,000 square feet. For grocery stores, capacity may increase from 3 people per 1,000 square feet to 6 people per 1,000 square feet.
- Executive Order 6-21 raised the social gathering limit from 25 people to 75. The limit applies only for gatherings of people for purely social purposes. The limitation does not apply to any activity, business, or entity that has been deemed essential, such as religious services, weddings, conferences, or other special events held for essential businesses and operations, as defined by Executive Order 9-20 as amended.
- Executive Order 7-21 states that all Pre-K-8 students statewide should be in school. Governor Justice has also called on the West Virginia Board of Education to make it mandatory that all counties send their students in those grades back to in-person instruction full-time.
- Executive Order 5-21 clarified the existing prohibition on live indoor music performances. Live music performances, except for those incorporating vocals or using wind instruments, may take place indoors, as long as the event is held in accordance with all applicable safety guidelines. Live music incorporating vocals or using wind instruments may be performed indoors only for simulcast or other broadcast to remote audiences.
February 10, 2021:
On February 10, 2021, Governor Jim Justice announced that the state will receive more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine than originally expected through the Federal Pharmacy Program. This will allow West Virginia to offer more vaccines to residents age 65 and older, as well as to members of the state’s critical healthcare workforce.
Previously, on February 8, 2021, Governor Justice announced the state had partnered with Walgreens through the Federal Pharmacy Program and that the state would receive an additional 5,800 doses per week. However, on February 10, 2021, Governor Justice announced the weekly doses received through the partnership had increased to 7,300 doses.
February 8, 2021:
On February 8, 2021, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia has partnered with Walgreens through the Federal Pharmacy Program to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to West Virginians age 65 and older, as well as members of the state’s critical healthcare workforce. As part of the partnership, West Virginia will receive up to 5,800 additional vaccine doses per week.
February 3, 2021:
On February 3, 2021, Governor Jim Justice announced that West Virginia has received an increase in its allocation of vaccine doses from the federal government. The state’s new weekly allocation of COVID-19 vaccine doses has neared 30,000. Governor Justice also urged residents and staff of long-term care facilities who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine to register to receive their first doses.
February 1, 2021:
On February 1, 2021, Governor Justice announced that free COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held in all of the state’s 55 counties. The clinics are available for West Virginians who are 65 years of age and older. Residents from any county can reserve an appointment at any of the vaccination clinics, regardless of their county of residence. The earliest clinic begins on February 3, 2021, and various locations will offer vaccines through February 6, 2021. Each clinic has its own schedule, which can be accessed here. Appointments are required and walk-ins are not accepted.
On January 29, 2021, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia has become the first state in country to complete its second round of COVID-19 vaccinations in all nursing homes and assisted living facilities. As of January 29, 2021, 17,763 residents and 19,836 staff members at West Virginia’s 214 long-term care facilities have received both doses.
Governor Justice also reminded West Virginians that the COVID-19 vaccination is available to all teachers, service personnel, and other school employees. Those who have not yet received the first dose can register here. West Virginia has not mandated that all school employees receive the vaccination in order to return to work, but those who have not yet received their first dose are encouraged to register. The state has made vaccinations available for the “super prioritized” category of school teachers, service personnel, and other employees age 50 and older.
January 21, 2021:
On January 21, 2020, Governor Justice announced that beginning January 25, 2021 at 8:00 a.m., West Virginia will launch a new online vaccination scheduling and distribution communication tool that will notify residents about the availability of vaccine doses to help streamline COVID-19 vaccination efforts statewide. The tool is through a company call Everbridge and can be accessed through West Virginia’s vaccination hub. On January 25, 2021, all West Virginians age 65 and older can access the tool and input their information so they can be notified about the availability of vaccines.
Governor Justice also announced that 15 new community vaccination clinics will be held January 22, and 23, 2021 specifically to vaccinate frontline healthcare workers across West Virginia. The vaccine doses are available to all frontline healthcare workers, including those in fields such as behavioral health, dentists, physical and occupational therapists, hospice and home health workers, and EMS and CPS workers.
Also, on January 21, 2021, Governor Justice announced that the state’s community vaccination clinic model for vaccinating all residents aged 65 and older will be expanded to serve all 55 counties in West Virginia by February 1, 2021. At present, these clinics are open in 14 counties.
January 13, 2021:
On January 13, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia will immediately begin offering COVID-19 vaccines to all state residents aged 70 and older. Governor Justice acknowledged that the CDC’s latest recommendation is that all states offer vaccines to those aged 65 and older, as well as those with preexisting conditions or comorbidities as soon as possible.
In working towards this goal, West Virginia has dropped the minimum age the COVID-19 vaccine is offered down from 80 to 70, with hopes that as the state receives more doses, the age will further drop to 65.
January 11, 2021:
On January 11, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia continues to lead the nation in the rate of COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration. Governor Justice stated that 100 percent of the first-doses of the COVID-19 vaccines West Virginia has received from the federal government have either been administered or are scheduled to be administered to a specific person during the week of January 11, 2021.
Also, on January 11, Governor Justice announced he has issued Executive Order No. 1-21, which establishes that all West Virginia public and private elementary and middle schools may reopen to in-person learning five days a week beginning January 19, 2021. Per the Governor’s order, all high schools will remain closed to in-person classes and extracurricular activities if the school’s county is designated as being red on the DHHR’s County Alert System map.
Governor Justice also issued Executive Order 2-21, which provides that winter sports teams will be able to begin practicing in-person on February 14, 2021. Games can begin on March 3, 2021.
January 6, 2021:
On January 6, Governor Justice announced that a series of 10 vaccination clinics will be held beginning on January 7, 2021 at seven locations across the state for members of the general public age 80 and older. These clinics are in addition to the state’s other vaccination events underway or scheduled through local health departments across the state. Each of the clinics available for those aged 80 and older have a unique schedule and some require an appointment. The details for each clinic can be found here.
These clinics are part of the state’s renewed focus to provide COVID-19 vaccines to West Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens. Governor Justice announced that this effort to vaccinate all individuals age 80 and older, as well as all Pre-K-12 school faculty and staff age 50 and older has been named operation “Operation Save Our Wisdom.”
Vaccines are available to all Pre-K-12 teachers and staff beginning January 7, 2021. Information regarding where and when each school employee will be able to receive the vaccine will be distributed through the West Virginia Department of Education, directly to the superintendents of each county.
West Virginia is among the states leading vaccine distribution nationwide.
January 4, 2021:
On January 4, Governor Justice announced that 52,221 of the 103,375 total doses delivered to West Virginia to date have been administered. Since the governor’s December 30, 2020 announcement that COVID-19 vaccines would begin to be available to citizens age 80 and older, 8,300 West Virginians age 80 and older in the general population have been vaccinated. Vaccination doses will be administered through local health departments who will individually announce availability and locations for vaccinations.
Also, on January 4, Governor Justice announced that the state has launched a COVID-19 Vaccine Info Line to provide information to citizens regarding the distribution process and availability of the COVID-19 vaccines. The line will operation Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The info line is 1-833-734-0965. The state has also launched a website to provide similar information about the vaccine.
Lastly, on December 30, 2020, Governor Justice announced that beginning on January 19, all West Virginia elementary and middle schools will reopen to in-person learning five days per week. All high schools will also return to in-person instruction five days per week, as long as the county is not Red in the state’s County Alert System map. Following the winter break, counties will have from January 4, 2021 through January 15, 2021, to continue remote learning. County educators will use this two-week period to prepare for full in-person instruction. Families will have the option to keep children in virtual learning, regardless of the statewide changes. Winter sports and extracurricular activities are postponed through March 1, 2021.
On December 30, Governor Justice also announced that beginning January 5, 2021, the COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to all teachers, service personnel, and other school employees age 50 and older. The anticipated completion date for this vaccination effort is January 19, 2021. The West Virginia Department of Education will provide information directly to superintendents of each county regarding where and when each school employee will be able to receive the vaccine.
Governor Justice also announced that the state will start offering vaccines to West Virginians age 80 and older. The governor urged patience as the state’s National Guard Joint Interagency Task force finalizes plans for the widespread distribution of vaccines for West Virginians in this category. Vaccination doses will be administered through local health departments who will individually announce availability and locations for vaccinations.
December 21, 2020:
On December 21, Governor Justice announced that 15,885 vaccines have been delivered to distribution points across the state, including to hospitals, long-term care facilities, and local health departments. Governor Justice reported that over 11,000 vaccines have been administered and that the state is ordering additional doses. Approximately 5,450 of the individuals who have been vaccinated thus far include residents and employees of 42 long-term care facilities.
December 16, 2020:
On December 16, 2020, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia has vaccinated 2,000 residents and staff members at various long-term care facilities across the state. West Virginia has partnered with Walgreens, CVS, and the state’s not chain-affiliated pharmacies to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
Governor Justice also provided more details on the state’s plan for Phase 2 distribution of the vaccine. Phase 2 vaccine distribution includes the general populace and current estimates show that Phase 2 may begin as early as March 2021. Phase 2 is broken down into three subsections:
- Phase 2-A: Includes those most vulnerable in the general population. Initial emphasis will be placed on individuals over 60, beginning with the oldest and working backwards. From there, priority will be placed on those over age 50 with preexisting health problems with a note from a physician.
- Phase 2-B: Includes those other health care and critical care workers who did not receive the vaccine in Phase 1-C and Phase 1-D, prioritizing those aged 50 or older first.
- Phase 2-C: At this point, all West Virginians who want a vaccine will be able to receive one.
Governor Justice also announced that he and members of the state’s pandemic response leadership team also received the vaccine.
December 14, 2020:
On December 11, Governor Justice provided details on the different phases of the state’s vaccine allocation plan. Governor Justice explained that there will be two main phases of vaccine allocation. Phase 1 will include those at the highest risk of serious complications from COVID-19, as well as individuals who are essential frontline workers fighting the pandemic. Phase 2 is the general populace.
Phase 1 is further broken down into four subsections:
- Phase 1-A: includes Acute Care Tertiary units, long-term care staff and residents, and pharmacists
- Phase 1-B: includes community infrastructure and emergency responders, public health officials, and first responders
- Phase 1-C: includes other health care workers (non-emergency or acute hospital staff), clinics and higher risk settings, home health and hospice workers
- Phase 1-D: includes teachers and education staff in higher education and K-12 and other sections of critical services, such as utility and transportation workers
West Virginia plans to offer vaccines to all individuals identified in Phase 1-A through Phase 1-D within the first six weeks. In Phase 2, general population, the state will place initial emphasis on the most vulnerable members of the general population based on CDC guidance.
December 9, 2020:
On December 9, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia’s initial allocation of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has been increased from the initial allocation of 26,000 doses to 32,600. Governor Justice also provided an update for the arrival of the initial doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA has a regulatory meeting scheduled for December 10, 2020, where it is expected that will discuss the Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer vaccine. FDA officials have said they plan to make a decision approving the emergency use authorization within four days of the meeting. Once the FDA gives authorization, West Virginia anticipates it will begin receiving shipments of the Pfizer vaccine within 24 hours of approval, and that vaccines will begin being administered 24 hours after that.
Governor Justice also announced that West Virginia University has partners with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to create a new Rapid Development Lab at the WVU Health Sciences Center in Morgantown. The new lab will be used to develop, validate, and implement complex diagnostic testing for COVID-19. The lab was funded through federal CARES Act funding.
December 7, 2020:
On December 7, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia officials submitted the state’s initial order to the CDC on December 4, 2020. The state ordered 16,575 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which is the maximum weekly ordering cap allowed for the state at this time.
On December 4, Governor Justice provided an overview of the state’s initial allocation plan in advance of the anticipated arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine. Governor Justice announced that the estimated target receipt date for the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine is December 15, 2020. The Governor announced that West Virginia plans to receive an initial allocation of approximately 60,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with weekly ordering cap of about 16,000.
West Virginia also expects it will receive its first doses of the Moderna vaccine approximately one after the arrival of the Pfizer vaccine. West Virginia plans to receive an initial allocation of 26,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine, with a weekly ordering cap of about 3,000-5,000.
Governor Justice noted that the state’s vaccine allocation may increase through the end of 2020, but that vaccine estimates are not available for 2021. Initially, there will be a limited supply of the COVID-19 vaccine when it first becomes available. The vaccine will be distributed in phases, based on risk for contracting the virus.
In accordance with the CDC’s guidelines, the first available vaccine doses will be distributed to healthcare workers, long-term care facility staff and residents, individuals critical to community infrastructure and emergency response, public health officials, and first responders.
November 30, 2020:
On November 30, Governor Justice along with several state health experts announced that all hospitals and hospital systems across the state have been asked to reevaluate the surge plans originally crafted several months ago during the state’s reopening initiative, “West Virginia Strong-The Comeback.” The Governor has asked hospitals to update their plans to account for the recent increase in COVID-19 case numbers across the state, and to consider temporarily reducing the number of elective medical procedures being performed.
Specifically, Governor Justice has asked hospitals to look at surgeries that are scheduled for the next 45 days and determine which of those surgeries can be postponed, so those hospitals can put off those surgeries that require an inpatient stay that would use a hospital bed that may be needed by a patient with COVID-19. Each hospital has been asked to submit a plan through the state hospital association.
November 23, 2020:
On November 20, 2020, following Pfizer’s announcement that they are seeking emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their COVID-19 vaccine, Governor Jim Justice announced that state officials in West Virginia are prepared and ready to implement a vaccine distribution when the vaccine is approved. Governor Justice announced that state officials have previously completed and submitted West Virginia’s COVID-10 Vaccination Plan to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the agency’s review and approval.
Also on November 20, 2020, Governor Justice announced the state had launched an interactive online map showing all free COVID-19 testing locations across the state. The map provides real-time access to all available testing sites.
November 17, 2020:
On November 13, 2020, Governor Jim Justice announced that he issued an executive order (EO No. 77-20), amending and broadening the state’s original Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement. This updated indoor face covering requirement went into effect at 12:01 am on November 14, 2020. The new order requires all citizens age 9 or older to wear a face covering at all times inside all indoor public places. This is an expansion from the original requirement which allowed masks to be removed indoors if adequate social distancing could be maintained. The new order does away with that exception.
The new order does not apply to anyone who has trouble breathing or anyone otherwise unable to remove their own face covering without assistance. It also does not apply to anyone who is actively consuming food or drink inside a restaurant, anyone inside a closed room alone, or inside one’s private residence. Face shields are an acceptable substitute for individuals with physical conditions that may cause them to be unable to properly wear a face covering.
Under the updated indoor face covering requirement, all businesses and organizations that invite the public into their facilities are required to post adequate signage advising patrons of the requirement. Those establishments are also responsible for enforcing the face covering requirement.
On November 13, 2020, Governor Justice also took the following actions to slow the spread of COVID-19:
- Executive Order No. 80-20, which postpones the start date for all youth winter sports teams and leagues. The order prohibits all youth winter sports teams and leagues—school-sanctioned or otherwise—from bringing players and spectators into a common area within the state for practices, games, or any other type of competition no sooner than January 11, 2021. All winter sports that have already begun to practice must cease immediately. The order does not apply to fall sports previously underway. Fall sports are allowed to conclude their season in accordance with their county’s color code in the WDVE School Alert System Map and the DHHR’s County Alert System Map.
- Executive Order No. 78-20 extending Thanksgiving Break for all public and private schools in West Virginia by three days. Public and private schools in all 55 counties may resume in-person instruction on December 3, 2020.
- Executive Order 79-20 requiring all doctors, nurses, staff, and employees working at nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the state to be tested for COVID-19 twice a week. The twice weekly testing requirement will remain in place until Governor Justice rescinds by executive order.
- At the request of the West Virginia Bandmasters, all band festivals for Spring 2021 have been cancelled.
November 12, 2020:
On November 11, 2020, Dr. Ayne Amjad, the State Health Officer and Commissioner of the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, announced that the Department of Health and Human Resources released guidance for safe holiday celebrations and holiday travel in advance of the coming fall and winter holiday season. The guidance recommends that gatherings be limited to immediate family members, and that if an individual recently had COVID-19 and may still be symptomatic, of if an individual may have been around someone who may have COVID-19, not to go around any family members.
November 9, 2020:
On November 9, Governor Justice announced that, at his direction, West Virginia’s insurance commissioner had approved $43 million in premium credits on all small and large group healthcare plans of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in West Virginia. This credit will assist almost 3,000 small and large state businesses with the cost of offering group healthcare plans during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This brings the total amount of insurance premium relief the state has provided for West Virginia consumers and businesses during the pandemic to over $140 million.
Further, on November 6, Governor Justice announced that the state’s color-coded School Alert System Map will continue to determine the status of athletic and other extracurricular competitions. The West Virginia Department of Education School Alert System map is updated every Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and determine each county’s office color status for the entire week. Governor Justice made this announcement as schools and teams across the state are engaged in fall playoffs. The WVDE School Alert System map’s color categories range from Red where all school-related athletic and extracurricular activities are suspended immediately, to Yellow or Green where those activities are permitted and immediate household family members and grandparents can attend competitions, and cheerleaders and bands may participate in home games.
November 2, 2020:
On November 2, Governor Justice urged all West Virginians to take advantage of the numerous free testing opportunities sites across the state. Free testing sites are available in 54 locations, and additional free testing events are scheduled in each of the state’s 45 counties through November 20, 2020.
October 26, 2020:
On October 23, Governor Justice, along with state health experts, urged West Virginians to redouble their efforts to follow best practices recommended by public health officials regarding COVID-19. The Governor warned that case numbers will continue to increase nationwide during the winter months, and strongly encouraged all citizens to continue getting tested, wearing masks, and physical distancing to slow the spread of the virus.
Governor Justice also reminded West Virginias to respond to contact tracers and if they see a call from their local health department to answer the phone because they may have been in close contact with someone who tested positive. Calls from number 866-611-0661 or caller ID “WV COVID19 RESP” are legitimate and should always be answered.
October 21, 2020:
On October 21, Governor Justice announced that $25 million of CARES Act relief funds that have been allocated to help qualifying West Virginians pay their utility bills are now ready to be distributed. The funds will go to local public service districts who will then pass along to customers. Customers of electric, natural gas, water, and sewer utility companies who have experienced economic hardship, uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and have unpaid utility bills between March 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020, may receive assistance to pay those bills. West Virginians who qualify for these relief funds will receive letters including an application from their utility company. Customers must complete and return the application by November 12, 2020 to qualify.
October 20, 2020:
On October 19, 2020, Governor Jim Justice announced that the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) has received FEMA authorization to increase the number of persons on federal activation status to 400 to support the state’s COVID-19 response operations. The federal government will reimburse West Virginia for seventy-five (75) percent of the costs related to the National Guard personnel. There are currently 379 members of the WVNG on duty. As part of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to date, the WVNG has distributed over 19 million pieces of PPE, performed over 48,430 COVID-19 tests, disinfected 161 facilities, trained 834 businesses on COVID-19 prevention practices, and produced 220,639 pieces of PPE.
October 14, 2020:
Executive Order 75-20, which permits all bars in Monongalia County to reopen, as long as the establishments follow all appropriate guidelines provided by state health experts, took effect October 13, 2020. Any bar attempting to reopen in Monongalia County must implement all additional safety measures described in the general as well as supplemental guidance documents for safely reopening bars and restaurants. The West Virginia Alcohol and Beverage Control Administration will work with state and local police to enforce these guidelines in the county. Failure to follow the recommended guidelines will result in suspension of the bar’s license to operate or its liquor license, as well as other appropriate enforcement measures.
October 13, 2020:
On October 12, 2020, Governor Justice announced that the state’s COVID-19 transmission rate had dropped to .92 as of the morning of October 12, 2020. Governor Justice also updated safety guidelines for hosting live performances. All outdoor live music performances are permitted to presume, so long as the number of attendees is limited to 25% of the venue’s full capacity or 250 individuals, whichever is less. The updated guidelines also clarify that restaurants with outdoor spaces do not have to further limit their occupancy when a band is performing for patrons.
October 12, 2020:
Governor Justice announced that the state is partnering with Walgreens and West-Virginia-based company Fruth Pharmacy to offer additional free testing sites at their pharmacy drive-thrus across the state. Walgreens is offering free testing at 16 locations statewide. Fruth Pharmacy is offering free testing at 12 locations statewide. Testing at these sites opened October 9, 2020 and will continue for the foreseeable future.
In this same briefing, Governor Justice also announced that due to a decrease in Monongalia County case numbers, bars in the county will be permitted to reopen on October 13, 2020, provided that these establishments follow all guidance issued by state health experts.
Governor Justice also announced that he is providing $100,000 in CARES Act funding to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to replenish the funds in the SNAP Stretch Program. This program allows West Virginians using SNAP benefits to double their spending power at the state’s farmers markets. The announced that this additional funding is expected to sustain the program through mid-December.
On October 2, Governor Justice announced that in light of recent media reports, state health experts will investigate claims that student-athletes have intentionally been tested multiple times to drive county numbers down. Governor Justice also stated that he has asked the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission Executive Director to issue a ruling against any coaches or athletes who intentionally test excessively.
On September 30, Governor Justice issued Executive Order 73-20 suspending the technical requirement that public auctions for lands that are delinquent for the nonpayment of taxes be held “at the front door of the courthouse” in which the property being auctioned sits. Under Executive Order 73-20, the public auctions may now take place in locations where adequate social distancing may be maintained.
Governor Justice also announced that additional testing and necessary resources will be provided to allow all of West Virginia’s public two and four-year institutions, as well as the state’s not-for-profit private institutions, to conduct surveillance testing on ten (10%) percent of their students and staff each week.
On September 25, Governor Justice announced that the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) is posting a list of schools across the state that have active outbreaks of COVID-19 on the WVDE website. A confirmed outbreak is described as two or more confirmed COVID-19 cases amount students and/or staff from separate households, within a 14-day period in a single classroom or core group.
West Virginia Coronavirus Czar Dr. Clay Marsh announced that the state’s county alert system map provided on the DHHR’s COVID-19 Dashboard has been updated to match the coding method on the state’s school alert system map. In this same announcement, Dr. Marsh announced an adjustment to the County and School Alert system, adding a range of positivity rate to allow counties to drop to Orange status.
Governor Justice also signed Executive Order 72-20, which relates to the suspension of CSR § 143-1-14.3a as it applies to employees of the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR), the West Virginia Division of Emergency Management, the West Virginia Fire Marshall, and the West Virginia State Police. The order also lifts the requirements that state-issued identification cards provided by DCR to released inmates shall be provided for only 90 days after the date of issuance.
On September 23, Governor Justice announced that for the first time since the state’s color-coded system was instituted, all West Virginia counties were out of the Red status (25+ cases per 100,000). Governor Justice also committed additional CARES Act funding will be provided to the DHHR and West Virginia National Guard to support efforts to ramp up the Governor’s Aggressive Testing Program. Governor Justice also signed Executive Order 71-20, which provides full testing of students and staff at several private and Christian schools in the state, in order for those schools to hold in-person instruction.
On September 16, Governor Justice announced that his administration has committed to providing $6 million of CARES Act funding to ensure the continued support of child care providers and families through the end of 2020. This funding will aid essential workers across the state, providing support to 3,400 families each month through December 2020.
On September 15, Governor Justice issued Executive Order 70-20, decreasing the limit for purely social gatherings in gold, orange, or red counties from 25 people to 10 people. The executive order also prohibits travel sports teams from participating in practices, games, or other competitions within counties designated as gold, orange, or red in the County Alert System.
On September 15, Governor Justice also added the “gold” category to color-coding on the County Alert System Map. The updated thresholds for the County Alert System are now:
GREEN: 3 and fewer cases per 100,000 OR 3% or less positivity rate
YELLOW: 3.1 – 9.9 cases per 100,000 OR 4% or less positivity rate
GOLD: 10 – 14.9 cases per 100,000 OR 5% or less positivity rate
ORANGE: 15 – 24.9 cases per 100,000
RED: 25+ cases per 100,000
On September 11, Governor Justice announced the following at his weekly COVID-19 briefing:
- Counties designated as Orange on the County Alert System will move to online instruction for school;
- West Virginia public schools received a total of 318,000 cloth masks
- The Workforce WV Acting Commissioner announced an end of the FEMA Lost Wages Assistance Program. This program provided an additional $300 a week in unemployment benefits to qualified claimants. Workforce West Virginia will continue to pay eligible claimants for as long as existing FEMA funds are available.
- Governor Justice signed Executive Order 69-20, relating to the suspension of CSR § 143-1-14.3a as it applies to employees of DHHR.
On September 9, Governor Justice announced that additional unemployment benefits will begin to be released on September 14, 2020. West Virginia approved the full $400 per week in Lost Wages Assistance payments available to West Virginians who are unemployed due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19.
September 8, 2020:
On September 4, Governor Justice signed Executive Order 68-20 which established the requirement that private and public Pre-K-12 schools follow the DHHR County Alert System map as it relates to any limitations or prohibitions on occupancy of such educational institutions for in-person instruction and/or athletic and extracurricular activities.
September 2, 2020:
On September 2, Governor Justice announced that he issued an executive order, once again closing all bars in Monongalia County until further notice. The new closure comes two days after bars in Mon County were permitted to open their doors for the first time since mid-July.
August 31, 2020:
Governor Justice first announced last week his intention to reopen Mon County bars on August 28, provided that case numbers didn’t see a significant increase. Governor Justice reported Friday that medical experts have confirmed that numbers in the region are stable at this time.
August 20, 2020:
On August 19, Governor Justice issued Executive Order 62-60 which extends the closure of Monongalia County bars until August 31, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. This countywide bar closure was originally issued under Executive Order 52-20, and then extended under Executive Order 55-20, Executive Order 58-20, and Executive Order 60-20.
On August 19, Governor Justice issued Executive Order 63-20 which allows certain individuals employed by WorkForce West Virginia to be eligible to continue in these positions without suspension of such individual's retirement annuity.
On August 19, Governor Justice announced that he had added sole proprietors and self-employed individuals to the list of people eligible to apply for funding through the West Virginia CARES Act Small Business Grant Program.
August 19, 2020:
On August 18, Governor Justice held another virtual ceremony, this time awarding more than $1.1 million to various fairs and festivals across West Virginia to assist those communities that had to cancel events due to COVID-19.
August 18, 2020:
On August 17, Governor Justice announced that the color-coded map system to determine the level of openness for reentry in Pre-K-12 schools has been modified. He provided updated thresholds of cases per 100,000 to determine which color each county is in.
August 17, 2020:
On August 14, Governor Justice, along with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), and the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE), announced a new metric and color code system to determine how in-person instruction, athletics, and other extracurricular activities are conducted at West Virginia’s pre-kindergarten through 12th grade schools.
On August 13, Governor Justice held a virtual ceremony to award more than $1.5 million to 330 various fairs and festivals across West Virginia to assist those communities that canceled events due to COVID-19.
August 11, 2020:
On August 10, Governor Justice announced that he is committed to President Trump’s executive order extending unemployment benefits at a rate of $400 per week. Under the order, $300 of the weekly total is to be paid for by the federal government, and the remaining $100 is to be paid for by each state, which Governor Justice has committed to paying.
August 10, 2020:
On August 7, Governor Justice issued Executive Order No. 59-20. This Order gives the West Virginia Department of Education the flexibility to maintain currently anticipated pay schedules and periods for teachers and school service personnel.
On August 7, Governor Justice announced that the interactive map featuring the 1,000 potential free WIFI access points is now live on the West Virginia Department of Education’s Website. This is a part of the Governor’s new Kids Connect initiative.
August 6, 2020:
On August 5, Governor Justice announced the reopening plan for West Virginia schools. The plan will be used to reopen all pre-kindergarten through 12th grade schools in West Virginia.
- The target date to reopen is September 8.
- All 55 counties must submit reopening plans to the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) by August 14. Such plans should offer parents and guardians the choice between in-person instruction, virtual instruction, or a hybrid model.
- All counties must provide best health practices such as social distancing, face coverings, hand washing, and disinfection protocols.
- Counties must continue to provide food daily (regardless of the mode of instruction) and must continue to provide support services for students.
- The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) and state medical experts are working to develop a metric that will help indicate when it is safe open school and when community transmission rises to a level where additional actions are necessary.
- Governor Justice has committed $6 million to his Kids Connect initiative to ensure all students have access to broadband for remote learning. These access points will include parking lots of school, higher education institutes, libraries, and state parks.
- $1.6 million will also be provided to all private and Christian schools across the state to use for their reopening plans.
August 4, 2020:
On August 3, Governor Justice announced that the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) will work with Thomas Health, the parent company of Saint Francis Hospital, to immediately become a COVID-19 surge hospital.
On August 3, Governor Justice announced he has directed the DHHR and West Virginia National Guard to monitor rising cases at Beckley ARH Hospital and Logan Regional Medical Center and to assist as needed.
On August 3, the West Virginia Department of Transportation announced their plan to improve access to medical facilities across the state Medical Access Road Projects (MARP). This is part of the $50 million of West Virginia's federal CARES Act funding that Governor Justice has set toward road projects.
August 3, 2020:
On August 1, Governor Justice issued Executive Order 58-20. This Order extends the closure of Monongalia County bars, originally established under Executive Order 52-20, and extended under Executive Order 55-20, until August 13, 2020, at 12:01 a.m.
On July 31, Governor Justice announced he’s pledged $2.5 million to public and private universities and colleges to ensure students and staff members are able to be tested for COVID-19 upon their return to campus. This funding comes from West Virginia’s portion of Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds, provided by the U.S. Department of Education to support educational needs in each state related to COVID-19.
On July 31, Governor Justice issued Executive Order 57-20. This Order amends Executive Order 4-20 to include the actively seeking work requirement for Extended Benefits in the list of regulatory statute provisions to be suspended and interpreted flexibly or waived, as appropriate, for the duration of the ongoing State of Emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic, for the sole purpose of waiving the work search requirement under the Extended Benefits program.
July 28, 2020:
On July 27, Governor Justice announced that he has directed the West Virginia National Guard to assist with testing and support for Princeton Health Care Center, a long-term care facility, with at least 30 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
On July 27, Governor Justice announced he will be distributing over $1.3 million to the state’s 392 fairs and festivals that could not take place due to COVID-19 shut downs.
July 27, 2020:
On July 24, Governor Justice issued Executive Order 56-20. Under this Order:
- All of West Virginia’s public and private colleges and universities are allowed to reopen for the fall semester.
- All public and private Pre-K-12 schools are set to open on Sept. 8, 2020.
On July 23, Governor Justice issued Executive Order No. 55-20. Under this Order:
- The closure of all bars in Magnolia County is extended an additional 10 days.
- Customers are still allowed to pick up food and drinks to take off site.
- Patrons may be seated, for dining, at tables and bar tops within "bar areas" of restaurants, hotels, and other similar facilities, subject to the same limitations that are in place for restaurants.
July 23, 2020:
On July 22, Governor Justice signed Executive Order 54-20. This order suspends the regulatory statute that prevents part-time professional personnel from being employed by the State for more than 1,000 hours per year.
On July 21, Governor Justice held a virtual meeting with West Virginia’s college and university presidents to discuss reopening. Governor Justice renewed his call for all students coming from outside of West Virginia to be tested upon their return. He also advocated for individuals to wear masks on campus as much as possible.
On July 20, Governor Justice reported that the West Virginia Department of education received $94 million in federal funding to assist in COVID-19 related expenses at Pre-K-12 schools statewide.
July 15, 2020:
On July 15, Governor Justice held a press briefing to announce the following:
- Anyone who has exhausted their regular state unemployment and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits may now apply for extended benefits for up to 13 additional weeks.
- Online applications for the West Virginia CARES Act Small Business Grant Program will be available soon. More information on the funding and eligibility can be found here.
July 13, 2020:
On July 10, Governor Justice held a COVID-19 press briefing. At the briefing:
- Governor Justice threatened to shut down the statewide reopening efforts if people do not comply with Executive Order No. 50-20, which requires all West Virginia residents age 9 and older must wear face coverings inside all public indoor buildings, remains in effect.
- Governor Justice also addressed the outbreak in Monongalia County, which has 416 positive cases. If positive coronavirus cases continue to trend higher over the weekend, Governor Justice says he will move to shut down bars and dine-in restaurants.
Previously, Governor Justice announced that all bars in Monongalia County will be closed for ten days. Restaurants will be allowed to remain open.
- Monongalia County has the highest rate of transmission in the state, especially among young people.
July 9, 2020:
On July 9, the number of active COVID-19 cases in West Virginia rose to 1,000, according to the Dept. of Health and Human Resources.
- Executive Order No. 50-20, which requires all West Virginia residents age 9 and older must wear face coverings inside all public indoor buildings, remains in effect. On July 8, Governor Justice indicated that his office was considering penalties for those who fail to comply with the order.
- On July 8, Governor Justice announced that the start date for West Virginia public schools will be pushed back to September 8.
July 8, 2020:
On July 8, Governor Justice announced that the start date for West Virginia public schools will be pushed back to September 8.
- Executive Order No. 50-20, which was signed on July 6, remains in effect. Under the order, all West Virginia residents age 9 and older must wear face coverings inside all public indoor buildings.
July 7, 2020:
On July 6, Governor Justice signed Executive Order No. 50-20 requiring face coverings to be worn inside.
- Face coverings are defined broadly to include cloth face coverings, bandanas, handkerchiefs, face shields, and dust masks.
- The order applies to all confined, indoor locations as well as other public locations where social distancing cannot be properly maintained.
- The order applies to all West Virginia residents ages nine and older. Persons who are unable to remove a face mask without assistance are also excluded from the order.
July 6, 2020:
On July 6, Governor Justice announced that he will sign an executive order requiring masks to be worn inside buildings.
- The order applies to all West Virginia residents that are at least nine years old. It will apply to all buildings, regardless of whether they are publicly or privately owned.
- The order will go into effect at midnight on Tuesday, July 7.
Residents will be able to carry concealed firearms while wearing a mask, which is typically not allowed under West Virginia law.
July 1, 2020:
On July 1, Governor Justice held a press briefing to discuss the state’s ongoing coronavirus prevention and relief efforts.
- $24 million in CARES Act funding has been distributed to 137 cities and counties across the state. Municipalities are encouraged to apply.
- Unemployment benefits issued to residents have surpassed $1 billion.
- West Virginia continues to expand its testing efforts, with at least ten percent of its population now tested for COVID-19.
- The number of in-state cases related to Myrtle Beach travel is now 115.
June 30, 2020:
Amid reports of data discrepancies, Governor Justice announced that nine percent of West Virginians have been tested for COVID-19.
- According to data from the Department of Health and Human Resources, 17 percent of the state’s positive COVID-19 cases are young people between the ages of 20 and 29.
- On June 29, the Monongalia County Health Department reported that over 200 individuals have potentially been exposed to COVID-19 at a local Planet Fitness after one gymgoer tested positive.
- As fairs, festivals, and amusement parks prepare to reopen on July 1, Week 10 of the Comeback plan is underway. Further guidance is available here.
June 29, 2020:
Week 10 of the Comeback Plan began on June 29. At the June 29 briefing, Governor Justice outlined the changes occurring in this phase:
- Starting July 1, fairs, festivals, amusement parks can reopen and outdoor open-air concerts can resume.
- Businesses reopening in Week 10 are required to enforce social distancing requirements and reasonable occupancy limits. Further guidance is available here.
On June 26, Governor Justice also announced his plan to distribute an additional $1.25 billion in federal funding through the CARES Act. Local governments will receive $200 million and 15,000 small businesses will receive $10,000 each. $100 million will go toward highway projects to improve access to medical facilities and $10 million will go to Fairmont Hospital for expenses incurred in its conversion to a COVID-19 surge hospital.
June 24, 2020:
On June 24, Governor Justice held a press conference to discuss:
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding is still available for qualified West Virginia small businesses.
- In Week 10 of the Comeback Plan, which begins on July 1, restrictions will be relaxed for outdoor open-air concerts, fairs, festivals, and amusement parks. Applicable guidelines will be provided by Governor Justice in the coming days.
June 23, 2020:
On Monday, June 22, Governor Justice held a press conference to discuss:
- Week 9 of “The Comeback,” which began on June 22, with new outdoor events, youth sports, and summer camps allowed to open (for more details, see the previous update on West Virginia).
- The recent surge in coronavirus cases across the state. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ Bureau for Public Health released safety guidelines for citizens who plan to travel outside of the state.
June 22, 2020:
On June 19, 2020, Governor Justice signed an Executive Order No. 45-20 that will formally allow several activities, currently scheduled to reopen in the Week 9 phase of West Virginia Strong – The Comeback, to resume. Under the new order:
- The following activities were permitted to reopen on Monday, June 22: Youth sports games with spectators; outdoor sporting events with spectators; outdoor equestrian events with spectators; outdoor motorsport and powersport racing with spectators; and summer youth camps. No specific occupancy limit is provided, but businesses are encouraged to limit occupants as necessary to ensure social distancing.
- County school systems can hold in-person high school graduation ceremonies starting Monday, June 22. The guidelines require that all in-person graduations must be held at outdoor venues and that events must be structured to allow for adequate social distancing and for other safety measures to be properly followed.
June 15, 2020:
On June 11, Governor Justice announced that plans continue to be made to transition State employees back into government office buildings subject to following certain safety guidelines.
June 11, 2020:
On June 10, Governor Justice announced a multi-phased plan to resume visitation at West Virginia nursing homes. The plan stipulates that, beginning June 17, if a nursing home has had no active COVID-19 cases for at least 14 days, visitations will be permitted to resume, with certain restrictions in place.
On June 10, Governor Justice announced that the West Virginia Board of Education and State Superintendent of Schools have released guidance for counties to begin hosting in-person graduation ceremonies beginning June 22.
On June 10, Governor Justice announced that all outdoor, open-air concerts will be permitted to resume, following strict safety guidelines, beginning July 1.
June 8, 2020:
On June 5, Governor Justice announced that he has signed an executive order that will formally allow activities, currently scheduled to reopen in the Week 7 phase of the Governor’s reopening plan, to resume operations if they so choose.
Approved activity reopenings, with limitations, on Monday, June 8 include:
- Low-contact outdoor youth sports
- WVSSAC-sanctioned athletics and band summer training programs
- Little league sports practices
- All remaining adult sports facilities including indoor tennis courts, racquetball courts, outdoor basketball courts, and similar venues
Reopenings allowed on Wednesday, June 10, 2020:
- Private campgrounds and State Park campgrounds, cabins, and lodges to out of state guests.
All guidance documents are available on governor.wv.gov.
On June 4, Governor Justice announced that fairs and festivals are permitted to resume on July 1, provided that all guidelines are followed to help keep West Virginians as safe as possible.
June 2, 2020:
On June 1, Governor Justice announced the beginning of Week 6 of the state’s Comeback plan. Week 6 will begin on June 5, and permit casinos and movie theaters to resume operations
On May 29, Governor Justice signed Executive Order No. 41-20, formally allowing scheduled businesses to reopen, with limitations, on May 30. Businesses permitted to reopen include:
- Spas and massages businesses;
- Limited video lottery retailers;
- Swimming pools; and
- Bowling alleys, pool halls, roller rinks, and other indoor amusement.
On May 29, Governor Justice announced that WVSSAC-sanctioned high school and middle school athletic programs and bands will be allowed to resume their summer training programs beginning June 8. The Governor also announced that low-contact outdoor youth sports and little league organizations will be permitted to resume practices on June 8.
On May 29, Governor Justice released guidance to movie theaters, scheduled to reopen on June 5.
May 28, 2020:
On May 26, Governor Justice announced the launch of Week 5 of the state’s “Comeback” plan. Governor Justice also announced that beginning on May 30, the following businesses may resume operations:
- Spas and massage businesses;
- Limited video lottery retailers;
- Swimming pools; and
- Bowling Alleys, pool halls, roller rinks, and other places with indoor amusement.
May 26, 2020:
On May 21, Governor Justice announced that swimming pools, bowling alleys, pool halls, roller rinks, and other indoor amusement locations will be permitted to reopen on May 30, under additional guidelines. Governor Justice also added movie theaters to the list of establishments reopening under Week 6 of the state’s comeback plan.
On May 22, Governor Justice announced that he has signed Executive Order No. 40-20 that will formally allow businesses, currently scheduled to reopen in the May 26 phase of the Governor’s reopening plan, to resume operations on that date if they so choose.
Businesses allowed to reopen on May 26, with limitations, include:
The order went into effect on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.
May 19, 2020:
On May 18, Governor Justice added several businesses and entities to the list of May 26 reopenings including shopping malls, indoor and outdoor bars, museums and visitor centers, and zoos.
On May 19, Governor Justice announced that he has signed Executive Order No. 39-20 that will formally allow businesses in the “Week 4” phase of the Governor’s reopening plan to resume operations if they so choose. The order will go into effect at midnight on Thursday, May 21, 2020. The new order also rescinds the requirement for out-of-state travelers visiting West Virginia to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival, a mandate originally put in place on March 30.
Governor Justice also announced that additional guidance documents are now available for several types of businesses and entities that are part of the Governor's Week 5 phase of reopenings, including indoor and outdoor bars at 50% capacity, museums and visitor centers, zoos, as well as spas and massage businesses.
May 18, 2020:
On May 14, Governor Justice announced that fitness centers, gymnasiums, and recreation centers have been added to the list of entities that will be allowed to resume operations under the next phase of the reopening plan. Governor Justice also announced that whitewater rafting, ziplining businesses, rock climbing businesses, gymnastics, dance and martial arts will be permitted to reopen, with restrictions.
On May 15, Governor Carney signed Executive Order No. 37-20 which provided additional guidance on the reopening of certain recreational facilities and formalized the May 18th reopenings.
Reopenings in all phases of the Governor’s plan are required to follow additional guidelines to help keep their patrons and all West Virginians as safe as possible.
Guidance documents for additional types of businesses included in The Comeback are available online.
May 13, 2020:
On May 13, Governor Justice announced that tanning businesses have been added to the list of entities that will be allowed to reopen, with limitations, in the upcoming Week 4 phase of Governor Justice’s reopening plan: West Virginia Strong – The Comeback.
Week 4 is currently scheduled to commence on Thursday, May 21. Tanning businesses will be required to follow additional guidelines to help keep their patrons and all West Virginians as safe as possible. These guidance documents will be provided on The Comeback page of the Governor’s Office website as soon as they become available.
May 12, 2020:
On May 11, Governor Justice announced the next wave of businesses and activities permitted to reopen as part of the upcoming Week 4 phase of the Governor’s reopening plan: West Virginia Strong – The Comeback.
The following entities are permitted to reopen, with limitations, in Week 4:
- Indoor dining at restaurants at 50% capacity (Guidance)
- Large/specialty retail stores (Guidance)
- State park campgrounds for in-state residents only (Guidance for all campgrounds)
- Outdoor recreation rentals (kayaks, bicycles, boats, rafts, canoes, ATVs and similar equipment) (Guidance)
- Outdoor motorsport and powersport racing with no spectators
- Hatfield McCoy Trail System (Guidance)
The executive order requiring out-of-state travelers to self-quarantine is also currently scheduled to be lifted during Week 4. In accordance with this scheduled change, new guidance documents are available for hotels, motels, condo hotels, rental properties, and cabins.
Week 4 is now scheduled to commence next Thursday, May 21, 2020.
May 5, 2020:
On May 4, Governor Justice announced Week 3 of West Virginia’s Comeback, to begin on May 11. The phase will include reopening of wellness centers operated by or with West Virginia Licensed Health Care providers and drive-in movie theaters. Governor Justice’s Office will announce when businesses in Weeks 4-6 will be able to reopen as soon as possible. Additional guidance on reopening will be made available for each of these businesses at that time.
May 4, 2020:
On May 1, Governor Justice announced Week 2 reopening to begin on May 4, permitting small businesses with 10 or fewer employees, restaurants with takeaway service or outdoor dining options, as well as religious entities and funeral homes to reopen.
On May 3, Gov. Jim Justice issued an Executive Order No. 33-20 removing Jackson, Kanawha, and Ohio counties from the list of COVID-19 community clusters or “hotspots” in West Virginia. Four counties requested to remain on the hotspot list including Berkeley, Harrison, Jefferson, and Monongalia counties.
The Order supports broad authority to the local health departments in the eight remaining hotspot counties and also:
- Limits groups to a maximum of 5 people.
- Directs ALL businesses to require employees to work from home to the maximum extent possible.
- Directs the West Virginia National Guard to provide logistical support and services to assist county agencies.
- Directs West Virginia State Police to assist with enforcement of local county orders.
April 30, 2020:
On April 29, Governor Justice provided additional clarification on the Governor’s six-week plan to reopen the state – “West Virginia Strong – The Comeback” in his daily press release. The “Week 1” phase of reopenings began Thursday, April 30, 2020, at 12:01 a.m.
In Week 1, outpatient health care operations may resume for facilities regulated by Licensing Boards contained in WV Code Chapter 30, including:
- Acupuncture Professionals
- Chiropractors
- Counselors
- Dentists
- Dietitians
- Hearing-Aid Dealers and Fitters
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Professionals
- Doctors of Medicine and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine
- Occupational Therapists
- Optometrists
- Pharmacists
- Physical Therapists
- Psychologists
- Registered Professional Nurses
- Respiratory Professionals
- Social Workers
- Speech-Language Pathologists
Also in Week 1, daycare services across the state will be able to resume, provided that enhanced testing procedures are put in place at each of these facilities.
The “Week 2” phase of reopenings are scheduled to begin this coming Monday, May 4, 2020. This includes small businesses with 10 or fewer employees, restaurants with takeaway service or outdoor dining options, religious entities and funeral homes, and professional service businesses such as hair salons, nail salons, barbershops, and pet grooming.
April 29, 2020:
On April 28, Governor Justice provided additional guidelines for reopening certain businesses. The guidelines provided are for small businesses with 10 or fewer employees, restaurants with takeaway service or outdoor dining options available, as well as religious entities and funeral homes – all of which are among the types of businesses permitted to resume operations in the “Week 2” phase of the Governor’s plan, which would begin Monday, May 4, if the statewide cumulative percent of positive test results (available at Coronavirus.wv.gov) remains below 3 percent through the evening of Wednesday, April 29.
The guidelines available for download here:
April 27, 2020:
On April 27, Governor Justice announced West Virginia Strong: The Comeback Plan which is a phased approach to reopening the state and economy over the next 6 weeks.
April 21, 2020:
On April 21, Governor Justice issued Executive Order No. 28-20 outlining the process for hospitals to resume elective medical procedures.
April 17, 2020:
On April 16, Governor Justice announced that West Virginia will receive $625 million in federal funding to aid State coronavirus response within the next two weeks, making or a combined federal stimulus total of $1.25 billion. The United States Treasury is expected to issue guidelines soon on how this money can be used by cities, counties, and states.
On April 16, Governor Justice also announced in a news conference that he is ordering the testing of all patients and staff members at nursing homes in West Virginia for COVID-19.
April 16, 2020:
Governor Justice announced that West Virginia is planning for “phase 2” of COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Justice indicated the main tenant of “Phase 2” would be to fine tune the testing process.
April 2, 2020:
On March 31, Governor Justice issued Executive Order No. 16-20, which suspended elective medical procedures. “Elective” includes medical procedures that are not immediately medically necessary to preserve the patient’s life or long-term health; religiously mandated procedures are not considered elective.
April 1, 2020:
On March 30, Governor Justice issued Executive Order No. 14-20 which imposed a mandatory 14 day isolation on individuals traveling from areas with substantial community spread of COVID-19 (including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) to West Virginia. Such individuals may travel for essentials such as medical attention and food, and the order does not apply to commercial trucking activities.
Executive Order No. 14-20 also permits issuing a fine of $50-$500 and up to a year in prison for violating such order.
March 23, 2020:
On March 23, Governor Justice issued Executive Order 9-20, effective indefinitely, which ordered a general stay-at-home order to all individuals in the state and ceased all non-essential business operations except for minimum basic operations necessary to maintain the value of the business’s inventory, preserve the physical business, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, and allow the business to continue to work remotely. Small businesses that do not invite the general public and have less than 5 employees in the office may continue to operate. Essential Business and Operations shall remain open. Essential Businesses and Operations include:
- Critical infrastructure defined in the federal CISA guidance
- Healthcare, public health operations and health insurance companies
- Grocery stores and pharmacies
- Food and beverage manufacturing and production (including delivery or take-out)
- Essential governmental functions (including judges, court personnel and jurors) working to support Essential Business Operations
- Business related to essential infrastructure (including food production, fulfilment centers, construction)
- Coal mining
- Manufacturing companies and supply chain companies producing essential products for health or food/beverage purposes
- Travel to any essential business operations
- Banks and other financial institutions
- Processional services (including legal, accounting and real estate services such as appraisal and title services)