HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — On Monday, Virginia became the latest state to order the closure of certain non-essential businesses in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Gov. Ralph Northam is allowing some non-essential brick-and-mortar retail stores to remain open if they have 10 or fewer patrons inside. Those restrictions will be in place for at least the next 30 days and go into effect at midnight Tuesday.
“With this pandemic, states have been left to figure out this on our own, and I am acting to protect Virginians,” Northam said. “It is important to acknowledge there is no playbook, every action affects people their livelihoods. We are acting judiciously and with full regard with the consequences.”
Restaurants and bars can remain open, but only for takeout and delivery. Grocery stores, banks, pharmacies and other businesses are considered essential and will remain open, but Northam said they need to make sure people stay apart (6 feet or more) and “step up” sanitizing practices.
Some businesses must close to the public, including theaters, concert venues, beauty salons, racetracks, tattoo shops, tanning salons and other personal care businesses that would not be able to comply with the social distancing guidelines for people to remain six feet apart.
Click here for a frequently asked questions document for the governor’s office.
Below is a list a essential workers in the 16 critical infrastructure sectors defined by DHS.
- Healthcare/Public Health
- Emergency Services – Law Enforcement, Public Safety, First Responders
- Food and Agriculture
- Nuclear Reactors, Materials & Waste
- Energy
- Water and Wastewater
- Transportation and Logistics
- Other Community-Based Government Operations and Essential Functions
- Critical Manufacturing
- Financial Services
- Chemical
- Defense Industrial Base
- Communications
- Information Technology
- Dams
- Commercial Facilities
To read more about the specifics in each category, click here.