On May 26, Governor Northam also announced that face coverings will now be required inside most public spaces in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. The requirement takes effect on Friday, May 29.
According to Governor Northam, face coverings must be worn in all retail businesses, including grocery stores and pharmacies, barbershops, salons, restaurants, on public transportation, in government buildings, and anywhere people can congregate in groups.
Face Covering Exceptions
Face coverings are not needed for:
- Eating or drinking
- Exercising
- Children under the age of two
- People with health conditions that keep them from wearing a face covering
- Communicating with people with hearing-impairments when the mouth needs to be visible
- Getting medical treatment or government services when coverings can be removed temporarily
- Participating in religious rituals
- Face coverings are not required inside day cares, schools, colleges, or universities.
Adults should use their best judgment with respect to placing face coverings on a minor between the ages of two and nine while inside public places. Adults accompanying minors ages 10 through 18 should use reasonable efforts to prompt the minor to wear face coverings while inside public places.The CDC has provided instructions on how to make homemade face coverings, or you may view the Fairfax County Library’s video on how to sew your own mask. Also, the Fairfax County Health Department is seeking donations of sewn face coverings for nonprofits that support low-income households.