Virginia to impose overnight curfew as COVID-19 cases rise

Virginia residents will have an overnight curfew and a 10-person limit on gatherings under a new executive order announced Thursday by Gov. Ralph Northam (D) to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. 

Under the curfew, which Northam called a “modified stay at home order,” residents are asked to stay home between midnight and 5 a.m. Exceptions will be made for people traveling for work or seeking medical attention and obtaining food.

Northam did not include an enforcement mechanism, so there’s no law requiring people to be home overnight. 

Like other states with curfews, the intent is to encourage people to stay home at a time when they may be drinking at bars and restaurants, and thus more lax about following basic public health requirements.

The measures, which will take effect Monday, do not change the current rules on restaurants, stores or houses of worship. Northam last month stopped on-site alcohol sales after 10 p.m. and said restaurants must close by midnight. 

But indoor dining rooms are still open at 50 percent capacity. Numerous experts have questioned the effectiveness of overnight curfews when restaurants and bars are still open indoors throughout the day.

Northam specifically noted that a recent Supreme Court ruling means he can’t enforce capacity limits on houses of worship, and can only ask religious leaders to do what’s best for their congregations and the general public.

His new rules also tighten the state’s mask requirement. 

Now, all Virginians aged 5 and older are required to wear face coverings in indoor settings shared with others and when outdoors within 6 feet of another person.

Like every other state, Virginia is seeing a surge of COVID-19 infections. Northam said the state is averaging more than 3,700 new cases per day, up from a statewide peak of approximately 1,200 in May. 

Statewide test positivity rate is at 11 percent, an increase from 7 percent approximately a month ago.