Gov. Northam eases more COVID restrictions

Bar seating now allowed.

Now that increasing numbers of Virginians have received the COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. Ralph Northam is easing restrictions on public gatherings. 

Northam announced April 22 that sports and entertainment venues may begin to operate with expanded capacity, and social gathering limits will increase beginning May 15. 

More than half of all adults in the commonwealth have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. All Virginians age 16 and older are now eligible for the vaccine.

Key changes in the Sixth Amended Executive Order 73 include the following:  

Social gatherings – The maximum number of individuals permitted in a social gathering will increase to 100 people for indoor settings and 250 people for outdoor settings. Social gatherings are currently limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. 

Entertainment venues – Indoor entertainment and public amusement venues will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity or 1,000 people, up from 30 percent capacity or 500 people. Outdoor venues will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity – up from 30 percent – with no specific cap on the number of attendees.

Recreational sporting events – The number of spectators allowed at indoor recreational sporting events will increase from 100 to 250 spectators or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less. Outdoor recreational sporting events will increase from 500 to 1,000 people or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less. 

Alcohol sales – Restaurants may return to selling alcohol after midnight, and dining room closures will no longer be required between midnight and 5 a.m.

Related story: High schools will hold outdoor graduation ceremonies

Earlier this week, Northam made minor changes to the existing mitigation measures, including the following: 

• Seating is now permitted in bar areas of restaurants, provided at least six feet is maintained between parties and no standing congregation is permitted.
• Outdoor races and marathons may place runners in staggered groups of up to 100 (up from 50).
• School theatrical and musical performances allow patrons up to 30 percent of the venue capacity, with a maximum of 500 patrons indoors and no specific limit outdoors.
• Distancing requirements have been decreased from 10 feet to six feet for entertainment and public amusement venues, swimming pool seating, graduations, and recreational sporting events.
• Personal care and personal grooming studios are no longer required to maintain appointment logs and contact information for customers.
• Karaoke is no longer prohibited.
• Splash pads, hot tubs, and saunas are no longer prohibited.
• Brass instrument players may remove masks while playing.

“I’m optimistic that we will be able to take more steps in June,” Northam said. “We are working to significantly ramp up vaccinations even further and aim to reduce capacity limits in June, hopefully, all the way. But some things need to continue—we all need to keep wearing masks, social distancing, and encouraging each other to get a shot. It’s how we take care of one another.”