Northern Virginia to begin lifting coronavirus restrictions Friday

Northern Virginia can begin reopening Friday, while face masks will be required inside businesses and public transportation throughout the state, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) announced Tuesday.

The move follows a letter from local elected officials over Memorial Day weekend saying the counties surrounding Washington, D.C., were nearly ready to begin reopening, according to an NBC affiliate. The rest of the state had been allowed to begin its reopening process earlier this month.

Northam said full details on the reopening plan for Northern Virginia would be released Wednesday.

With phase one of reopening starting Friday, restaurants and bars can operate with outdoor seating at 50 percent capacity as long as businesses have permits for outdoor seating, according to official Safer at Home: Phase 1 guidelines.

The phase one guidelines also said houses of worship will be required to operate at 50 percent capacity.

The mandatory guidance applies to all storefronts, personal care and grooming businesses, along with “all places where people congregate,” Northam said.

“Everyone will need to wear a face covering,” he added.

Social distancing among coworkers and clientele of at least six feet apart is also enforced for reopening businesses under phase one measures.

Children 9 or younger are not required to wear masks, but Northam recommended face covers for children ages 3 and older.

“Protecting the people around us means face masks,” Northam said, but added that people who break the rules should not expect criminal charges.

At the press conference, Northam responded to criticism he received this week for not wearing a mask while taking photos with people at Virginia Beach on Saturday.

“I was not prepared because my mask was in the car. I take full responsibility for that. People held me accountable and I appreciate that. In the future, when I’m out in the public, I will be better prepared,” Northam said Tuesday.