RICHMOND, VA. — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is expected to announce today that the Northern Virginia region will join the rest of the state in the Phase I reopening plan beginning Thursday, May 28. In a press release May 14, the governor said the state would begin to reopen May 15, although Northern Virginia leaders could delay that timeline for their respective municipalities if they felt it necessary due to a higher volume of COVID-19 cases. On Monday, 10 Northern Virginia officials, which included six mayors and four Chairpersons of Boards of Supervisors, sent a letter to Northam advising that they are ready to join Phase I of reopening the state. In the letter, the officials enclosed data from five public health directors that advised the region can join in the reopening phase.
The new guidelines outline more relaxed restrictions, including upping the capacity of non-essential retail from a 10-person limit to 50 percent capacity; allowing restaurants to open outdoor seating with a 50 percent capacity limit; allowing places of worship to have a 50 percent capacity, up from its previous 10-person limit; fitness centers may operate outdoor classes; and allowing for personal grooming services to reopen to appointment-only customers.