VA Mask Mandate, Other Restrictions To Be Lifted By Governor

VIRGINIA — Gov. Ralph Northam will lift the mask mandate for vaccinated people in Virginia on Saturday in accordance with new CDC guidance. The governor will also lift all capacity and social distancing COVID-19 restrictions on May 28 rather than June 15.

The mask mandate will be adjusted to reflect CDC's guidance that fully vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask or physically distance in any indoor and outdoor setting, except when required by federal, state or local laws and regulations. CDC says masks should still be worn on public transit, in health care facilities, and in congregate settings.

"It's very simple. It's either a shot or a mask," said Northam. "It's up to you. If you're not vaccinated yet, we strongly encourage you to wear a mask in public. If you haven't gotten your shot, there is no reason to wait. It will keep the people around you safer, especially children or people who cannot be vaccinated."

Northam said businesses can still choose to require masks. Employees in certain business sectors, such as restaurants, retail, fitness, personal care and entertainment, must wear masks unless fully vaccinated.

Masks will remain required in K-12 schools due to low vaccination rates among children. The Pfizer vaccine was authorized for ages 12 to 15 this week, but no vaccine is authorized for children under 12.

Northam previously updated his mask mandate to reflect CDC guidance that masks are no longer required for fully vaccinated people when alone or in small groups outdoors.

Virginia's state of emergency will continue through at least June 30. Northam plans to make an executive action to ensure Virginians have the option to wear masks after that date.

The other new change will be the lifting of Northam's mitigation measures on capacity and distancing in businesses and public spaces on May 28. He had previously anticipated to lift these measures on June 15.

"Now we are able to move up the timeline to end them all thanks to the new CDC guidance, our strong vaccine numbers, and dramatically lowered case counts," Northam said in a video message.

Before restrictions are completely lifted, Northam will ease some measures. Starting on May 15, the indoor social gathering limit will increase from 50 to 100 people, and the outdoor social gathering limit will increase from 100 to 250 people.

On May 15, indoor entertainment and public amusement venues will be allowed to have 50 percent capacity or 1,000 people, up from 30 percent capacity or 500 people. Outdoor venues will be allowed 50 percent capacity with no numeric cap on attendees, up from 30 percent of capacity with no numeric attendee cap. Indoor recreational sporting events will be allowed to have 250 spectators or 50 percent capacity — the lesser of the two. The current limit is 100 spectators. Outdoor recreational sporting events will be allowed to have 1,000 people or 50 percent of capacity — the lesser of the two. The current limit is 500 people outdoors. Those capacity limits will be completely lifted on May 28.

Lastly, restaurants can begin selling alcohol after midnight, and dining rooms will not be required to close between midnight and 5 a.m.

As the governor made the adjustments to COVID-19 restrictions, nearly 7 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered to date. According to the Virginia Department of Health, 47.8 percent of Virginia's 8.5 million people have at least one dose, and 36.8 percent are fully vaccinated. Northam said two-third of Virginia adults have had at least one shot.

COVID-19 cases have been trending down, and the daily case average is 555, the lowest level since summer 2020. Current COVID-19 hospital patients stand at 683, the lowest number since VDH began tracking in mid-April 2020. The current seven-day average of positive PCR tests is 3.5 percent.

The governor urged eligible people to get vaccinated in the next two weeks and get children 12 and older vaccinated. Minors need consent by a parent or guardian.

Northam will also encourage participation in the "It’s Our Shot, Virginia: Statewide Day of Action" on Tuesday, May 18. Residents can sign up to be a COVID Community Ambassador to share updates and materials with their communities, or share their vaccination story on social media.

Virginians can find vaccine appointments or more information at vaccinate.virginia.gov, or by calling 877-VAX-IN-VA.