Hair Salons, Churches To Reopen In 1st Phase Of Forward Virginia

VIRGINIA — With coronavirus hospitalizations stabilizing throughout the state and more people being tested, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said he plans to move forward with his Forward Virginia plan outlining the first phase toward easing public health restrictions, starting Friday, May 15.

"I want to reassure Virginians that we are not opening a floodgate here. We are not flipping a light switch from closed to open," he said. "When the time is right, we will turn a dimmer switch up just a notch. We need to continue our vigilance and social distancing ...

He said the Forward Virginia plan has three phases. The first phase will "slowly and deliberately" ease some restrictions.

He said he feels much more confident in the state's ability to prevent the spread of the virus than he did two months ago.

"Back then we had one blunt tool - shutting everything down," Northam said. "We directed people to stay home because the only way we could stop the spread of this virus was by staying apart. It's working. Our health data shows us that."

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He said the hospitals have not been overwhelmed and the state has been able to ramp up testing.

This coming week, he said, more than 1,500 people will be tested on Virginia's eastern shore. Additionally, the state is preparing to hire about 1,000 contact tracers, supplementing the 325 working in the field already.

During the first phase, people will be encouraged to continue working from home, wearing masks in public and social distancing

"But the stay-at-home order will become a safer-at-home order," he said. Residents will still be encouraged to stay at home as much as possible but will have the option of getting their hair cut, eating at an outdoor cafe and taking an outdoor class.

Highlights of the first phase of Forward Virginia:

• Nonessential retail businesses can reopen but will be limited to 10 people inside at a time for two months.
• Restaurants and breweries will still be limited to takeout or delivery but the state will allow restaurants that already have outdoor seating to open at 50 percent capacity.
• Outdoor classes will be allowed with limitations.
• Places of worship currently limited to 10 people may have services at 50 percent capacity.
• Personal grooming businesses can reopen with the use of face masks, social distancing and appointments required.
• Private campgrounds may reopen with restrictions on distances between campsites.

As of Saturday, 23,196 people in Virginia tested positive for coronavirus, 3,164 have been hospitalized and 827 people have died, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

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