VA Governor Bans Gatherings Of 100 Or More Due To Coronavirus

VIRGINIA — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced a statewide ban Sunday on all public events of more than 100 people in response to the new coronavirus known as COVID-19. The public gathering announcement followed Northam's declaration of a state of emergency on Thursday, which allows state agencies to perform actions that normally would not be permitted in order to respond to the emergency.

Northam said at a press conference Sunday that the decision by the state was made with the hope that social distancing would reduce the spread of the coronavirus. He noted the ban on gathering of 100 people or more does not apply to restaurants, bars and offices.

For the Peninsula Health District, where Virginia reported its first death from the coronavirus, the governor placed a ban on gatherings of 50 people or more, half of the total in the statewide ban.

“These are critical steps to reduce and slow the spread of this virus,” Northam said earlier Sunday in a teleconference with reporters and government officials from localities in southeastern Virginia. “We are not at the point of ordering a state-mandated quarantine, but every single person should stay home if they can. This is serious, everyone needs to take this seriously.”

On Sunday, the Virginia Department of Health confirmed a total of 45 coronavirus cases in the state. Virginia is seeing its first cases of "community spread" of the coronavirus in an area around Williamsburg where the first person in the state died Saturday from the disease, according to government officials. As of Sunday afternoon, James City County, with a population of about 67,000, had eight confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

The area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Peninsula Health District, includes James City County, Williamsburg, York County, Newport News, Hampton and Poquoson.

SEE ALSO: Virginia Coronavirus Updates: What You Need To Know

At the press conference, Northam encouraged people in the Peninsula area to avoid going out to restaurants, bars, churches and other gathering places.

The man who died in the region was his 70s who acquired COVID-19 through an unknown source. The cause of death was respiratory failure as a result of COVID-19. Health officials said Sunday they are still investigating how the man contracted the disease.

On Sunday evening, the Fairfax County Health Department said it has produced guidance in alignment with the state ban on gatherings of more than 100.

"Mass gatherings, where people are in close proximity, provides an environment where respiratory infections can easily spread," the Fairfax County Health Department said. "Restricting those gatherings will contribute to individual protection by reducing their risk of becoming infected and to community protection by reducing the risk of more widespread dissemination of this virus."

The City of Fredericksburg issued a coronavirus update Sunday evening, letting residents know that its Emergency Services division strongly encourages residents to remotely access services and use online transactions when possible. The city noted in its update, though, that the governor has not called for a statewide quarantine at this time.

To lower the risk of spreading respiratory infections, including the coronavirus, the Virginia Department of Health encourages the following behaviors:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

RELATED:
First Coronavirus 'Community Spread' Case Reported In Virginia
VA Grocery Stores Cut Hours For Coronavirus Cleaning, Restocking
Metro Reducing Service To Slow Spread Of Coronavirus