Virginia lifting curfew, easing some virus restrictions

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) announced on Wednesday that he is lifting the statewide curfew and easing other coronavirus restrictions amid a decrease in infections.

Northam said in a news conference that the state’s midnight to 5 a.m. curfew will be lifted next Monday. Alcohol sales will also be extended to midnight as opposed to 10 p.m.

In addition, outdoor social gatherings will be allowed to have 25 people, up from the current 10-person limit. Outdoor entertainment and public entertainment will also be allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity, with a cap of 1,000 people, up from a cap of 250 people

However, indoor entertainment and public amusement venues will still have to operate at 30 percent capacity with a maximum of 250 people.

The governor said if current trends in COVID-19 infections continue, he would expect the 1,000 person cap on outdoor venues to be completely lifted by April.

Northam imposed the restrictions in December amid an increase in COVID-19 cases during the holiday season.

The governor said Wednesday that he felt comfortable easing restrictions due to a decrease in COVID-19 infections and increase in the number of people getting vaccinated.

The state has administered 1.6 million coronavirus vaccine doses, and reported that 13.5 percent of the state’s population has been given at least one dose.

Virginia’s Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported 1,907 new infections over the past 24 hours, bringing its cumulative total to 568,946.