Northam Details Businesses Allowed In Phase 1 Reopening

Mark Hand
Updated ·6 min read

RICHMOND, VA — Churches and nonessential businesses will be allowed to open at 50 percent of capacity, but restaurants must remain closed to indoor dining when the first phase of Virginia's coronavirus reopening plan begins Friday, May 15, Gov. Ralph Northam said Friday. Businesses with a permit for outside seating will be allowed outdoor dining at 50-percent capacity and table spacing, with employees wearing masks to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 illness.

Northam urged people to remain cautious when the first reopening phase starts. "This virus is still with us. It has not gone away," he said at a news conference in Richmond. "It has no cure and no vaccination to date, and we may be living with it for months or even years."

The governor said the state would consider bringing restrictions back if warranted, using the same metrics as it is using for the first reopening phase. "Should these numbers go in directions that we're not comfortable with, then obviously we'll ... need to make adjustments in our restrictions," he said.

Clark Mercer, Northam's chief of staff, noted at the news conference that the state has been in contact with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and the region's three largest counties: Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William. Mercer said Northern Virginia is "looking good" on the metrics but not as good as the rest of the state.

"If these entities as a region would like to delay entering phase one by two weeks, for example, which would be May 29, I think the governor would be open to doing that," Mercer said. Leaders in Northern Virginia were asked to review the governor's guidelines for phase one and an update on potential regional decisions would come early next week, he said.

"I want to reassure Virginians we are not opening the floodgates here. We are not flipping a light switch from closed to open," Northam said. "When the time is right we will turn a dimmer switch up just a notch. The reality is that the virus is still in our communities, and we need to continue our vigilance and social distancing, handwashing and wearing of face protection when we're out and about."

At hospitals across the state, Northam said it has been several days since any of them reported shortages of personal protective equipment. The increase in equipment availability is one of the measurements the state is watching as at it prepares to enter what the Northam administration is calling "Forward Virginia Phase One."

Northam said he expects the first phase of the reopening plan to last at least two weeks. According to the governor, the guidance under phase one will involve the Stay at Home order switching to a Safer at Home order. Under that definition, the public should still stay home when possible. But Virginians who are vulnerable, like the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, will need to continue to stay at home except for essential reasons.

As part of the phase one reopening plan, barber shops and salons will be allowed to open on May 15 by appointment only. The shops will have strict guidelines and will be allowed 50-percent occupancy. Customers and employees must wear face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Churches will be allowed to have 50-percent capacity, but Northam encouraged them to continue to offer drive-in and online services.

Entertainment-related businesses such as bowling alleys and theaters will remain closed. Gyms will also remain closed during phase one. Beaches will continue to have 10-person limits for fishing and exercise only. Private campgrounds will open, while overnight summer camps will be closed.

When asked why restaurants will not be able to open their doors to indoor dining while nonessential retail stores can open their doors to more customers, Northam said the decision was made based on a "tremendous amount" of discussion with restaurant owners. Their collective decision was that outdoor seating would be in the best interest of customers and employees.

When phase one ends, the administration may allow restaurants to serve customers indoors at 50 percent of capacity, the governor said.

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Virginia State Parks are working toward a goal to reopen campgrounds for Memorial Day weekend. While state parks continue to be open for day use only, overnight facilities will open following a phased approach beginning with park campgrounds.

Restrooms and campground bathhouses will open May 21. Other park facilities, including camp stores, museums, picnic shelters and visitor centers, will remain closed.

"It’s with an abundance of caution that we take this step toward becoming fully operational,” Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Director Clyde Cristman said Friday in a statement. "Thank you to our park visitors for continuing to adhere to social distancing guidelines and limiting group gatherings to 10 or fewer."

On Friday, the Virginia Department of Health made ZIP code data available on cases of the coronavirus. The ZIP code information includes case numbers and number tested but not deaths or hospitalizations. Residents can look at data by ZIP code, locality and health district.

Prince William and Fairfax Counties each has four ZIP codes in the top 10 ZIP codes in the state with the most positive cases. Arlington County and Harrisonburg also have ZIP codes with positive case counts that put them in the top 10 for the state.

Dr. Karen Remley, a former state health commissioner who is helping lead Virginia's testing task force, stated that she hopes Virginia to be testing 10,000 people a day for the coronavirus by the end of next week. She says capacity continues to increase, and the state is working with health centers, pharmacies and other facilities.

In addition to outlining guidelines under the first phase, Northam urged businesses to take other precautions so customers and workers can feel safe. "I want to emphasize that the business operations listed may open if they meet the requirements. If they're not able to meet these restrictions, they must remain closed," he said.

Northam acknowledged many workers are eager to go back to work while others are afraid. "The restrictions on business operations such as distancing and masks are meant to protect workers as much as customers," he said.

Patch editor Emily Leayman assisted in the reporting of this story.

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This article originally appeared on the Fairfax City Patch