Gov. Ralph Northam announced new targeted measures today to slow the spread of Covid-19 in Virginia.

The new Executive Order calls for staying at home from midnight to 5 a.m., imposes a universal mask requirement and lowers the limit on social gatherings to 10 people.

The governor said he’s acting to stem the highest number of Covid cases since the pandemic began. There are an average 4,000 new cases per day now—or four times the number in May. Hospitalizations have also spiked to about 83% during the past four weeks.

The new order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, December 14, continuing through January 31, 2021, and directs the following:

• Staying at home between midnight and 5:00 a.m. The language in the Executive Order states “should” remain at their place of residence, not “must,” and then lists nine exceptions to the stay-at-home instruction.

• Universal mask wearing: Everyone age 5 and up is required to wear a face mask indoors when not at their own home and outdoors when it’s not possible to social distance. This order is consistent with the CDC’s new guidelines, and it expands the current statewide mask mandate that has been in place since May 29.

• Social gatherings limited to 10 people: Both public and private social gatherings must be limited to 10 people, down from the current cap of 25. Social gatherings include, but are not limited to, parties, celebrations or other social events, regardless of whether they occur indoors or outdoors. This limit does not apply to religious services.

• Restaurants to continue operating under existing strict limitations: The new order continues the existing limits on restaurants, breweries and other dining establishments. These include stopping alcohol sales at 10 p.m. and closing at midnight. Under the current rules, restaurants are already effectively operating at 50% capacity, now restaurants employees—whether they work in the kitchen or serve diners—must wear masks.

• Reducing spectators for recreational sports: Spectators are limited to 25 people for recreational sports played indoors and there is a limit of two guests per player for outdoor sports.

• Teleworking: Employees that can telework are strongly encouraged to do so.

While Virginia’s new cases per capita remain lower than 43 other states, all of the Commonwealth’s five health regions are experiencing increases in Covid-19 cases, positive tests, and hospitalizations. Virginia is currently averaging more than 4,000 new Covid-19 cases per day, up from a statewide peak of approximately 1,200 in May. Statewide test positivity rate is at 11%, an increase from 7% approximately one month ago. More than 2,000 Virginians are currently hospitalized due to Covid-19 statewide, an increase of over 80% in the last four weeks. Although the new measures are temporary, they may need to be extended, the governor said.

In the meantime, the governor called for increased enforcement against businesses that aren’t following the rules. State agencies, primarily the Virginia Department of Health and Alcohol and Beverage Control, have issued 181 enforcement letters.

For more information see the governor’s press release here, and the full text of Executive Order Seventy-Two here.

Source: Office of the Governor of Virginia