Governor eases some COVID restrictions
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| People check in at the Inova Vaccination Center. |
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced certain restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of COVID will be lifted on April 1.
The changes are possible due to the increase in the number of people getting vaccinated. Approximately one in four people in Virginia have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine.
The new rules include the following:
Social gatherings – The maximum number of individuals permitted in a social gathering will increase to 50 people for indoor settings and 100 people for outdoor settings. Social gatherings are currently limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
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Entertainment venues – Indoor venues must operate at 30 percent capacity or with a maximum of 500 people, an increase from the current cap of 250 people. Outdoor venues must operate at 30 percent capacity, with no specific cap on the number of attendees. These venues were previously limited to 30 percent capacity or up to 1,000 attendees, whichever was fewer.
Sporting events – The number of spectators allowed at indoor recreational sporting events will increase from 25 to 100 people per field or 30 percent capacity, whichever is less. For outdoor recreational sports, the number of people per field is increased from 250 to 500 or 30 percent capacity, whichever is less.
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Graduation ceremonies – Last week, Northam issued preliminary guidance on safe in-person graduations and commencements, which included a cap of 5,000 people or 30 percent of the venue capacity for outdoor events, whichever is less. Events held indoors may have up to 500 people, or 30 percent of the venue capacity, whichever is less.