Northam executive order lists businesseses that must close

Like all restaurants statewide, Super Pollo at Barcroft Plaza, can provide takeout meals only.

An executive order issued by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam March 23 lists the types of businesses that must close and those that can stay open under restricted circumstances.

Executive Order 53, aimed at reducing the spread of coronavirus, also bans gatherings of more than 10 people and requires all K-12 schools to remain closed through the end of this academic year.

The following recreation and entertainment businesses are considered non-essential and must close to the public beginning at 11:59 p.m. on March 24:

Theaters, performing arts centers, concert venues, museums, and other indoor entertainment centers.
Fitness centers, gymnasiums, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, and indoor exercise facilities.
Beauty salons, barber shops, spas, massage parlors, tanning salons, tattoo shops, and any other location where personal care or personal grooming services are performed that would not allow compliance with social distancing guidelines to remain six feet apart.
Racetracks and historic horse racing facilities.
Bowling alleys, skating rinks, arcades, amusement parks, trampoline parks, fairs, arts and craft facilities, aquariums, zoos, escape rooms, indoor shooting ranges, public and private social clubs, and all other places of indoor public amusement.

All dining and congregation areas in the following establishments must close to the public but may offer delivery and takeout services, including: restaurants, food courts, farmers markets, breweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms.

These retail businesses are considered essential and may remain open during normal business hours:

Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retailers that sell food and beverage products or pharmacy products, including dollar stores, and department stores with grocery or pharmacy operations.
Medical, laboratory, and vision supply retailers.
Electronic retailers that sell or service cell phones, computers, tablets, and other communications technology.
Automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers as well as automotive repair facilities,
Home improvement, hardware, building material, and building supply retailers.
Lawn and garden equipment retailers.
Beer, wine, and liquor stores.
Retail functions of gas stations and convenience stores.
Retail located within healthcare facilities.
Banks and other financial institutions with retail functions.
Pet stores and feed stores.
Printing and office supply stores.
Laundromats and dry cleaners.

All essential retail establishments must, to the extent possible, adhere to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing practices on common surfaces, and other appropriate workplace guidance from state and federal authorities.

Any brick-and-mortar retail business not listed above must limit all in-person shopping to no more than 10 patrons per establishment, adhere to social distancing recommendations, sanitize common surfaces, and apply relevant workplace guidance from state and federal authorities. If any such business cannot adhere to the 10-patron limit with proper social distancing requirements, it must close.

Professional businesses not listed above must use teleworking as much as possible. Where telework is not feasible, such businesses must adhere to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing procedures, and apply relevant workplace guidance from state and federal authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

Businesses in violation of Executive Order 53 may be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The executive order does not limit businesses or organizations that provide healthcare or essential services for low-income residents, such as food banks, the operations of the media, law enforcement agencies, or operations of government.

The order says the prohibition of gatherings of more than 10 people does not include gatherings that involve the provision of healthcare or medical services, access to essential services for low-income residents, such as food banks, operations of the media, law enforcement agencies, or operations of government.

Regarding the closing of schools, the order says the Virginia Department of Education will issue guidance outlining options for additional instruction through summer programming, integrating instruction into coursework next year, and allowing students to make up content.

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