Northam Extends Coronavirus Closure Of Non-Essential Businesses

VIRGINIA — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Wednesday extended his shutdown order for certain non-essential businesses, which initially was set to expire April 23, until May 8. A separate stay-at-home order for Virginia residents is in effect through June 10.

Based on data modeling and information from hospitals, the current social distancing measures and other actions are working to prevent major spikes in cases of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, Northam said Wednesday at his coronavirus press briefing. Because the state's actions appear to be "flattening the curve" of coronavirus cases, the governor said now is not the time to lift any of the restrictions implemented over the past month.

With the order's extension, Northam continued the ban on dining-in at restaurants and the closure of recreational, entertainment, hair care and other types of businesses where people come into close contact. The ban on gatherings of more than 10 people also will remain in place.

Northam said the state will continue to monitor health data to determine what needs to happen on May 8. Virginia's stay-at-home order, a separate order issued March 30, is scheduled to remain in effect through June 10.

"When people say that it is time to stop what we're doing and get back to normal, they're wrong," Northam said. "Right now, the models and our hospitals expect that we'll be able to handle the expected surge in patients. But if we let off the brakes and try to go back to the way things were, we'll see another spike in cases that could overwhelm our hospitals."

Northam said he remains in close contact with the leaders of Maryland, D.C. and North Carolina so that the neighboring jurisdictions will move forward with any future re-openings in a coordinated way.

Even when businesses begin to re-open, they may not operate in the same way. "Things are not going back exactly like they were before," Northam said. "Together, we will figure out how to build a new normal."

In the near term, when day-to-day life begins to open up, the new normal will likely include spending more time at home, including teleworking, he said. In the longer term, the use of face masks and the avoidance of large gatherings may become more common.

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Northam quoted Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, who has said there isn't a switch the nation can flip to get back to the way things were before the coronavirus crisis. "The way forward will be deliberate and it will be careful," the governor said.

At Wednesday's press briefing, Northam also said that $70 million will be used to help daycare centers in Virginia that are remaining open and to help schools open daycare for essential workers. Essential workers in need of childcare should visit http://vachildcare.org or call 1-866-KIDS-TLC.

The Virginia Department of Health reported 41 new deaths due to the new coronavirus on Wednesday, its largest one-day increase so far. In total, positive cases reached 6,500 and deaths climbed to 195.

Virginia's number of cases represents an increase of 329 from Tuesday. Among the 6,500 total cases, 1,048 individuals are hospitalized. Last Wednesday, Virginia had 3,645 COVID-19 cases, 75 deaths and 615 hospitalizations.

State Health Commissioner Norm Oliver noted that there is a reporting lag and Wednesday’s 41 new reported deaths does not mean all of those deaths occurred in a 24-hour period. “Many of those deaths were from a prior time,” Oliver said.

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