New Restrictions in Virginia: Executive Order 72

On December 10, 2020, Governor Northam signed a new Executive Order mandating further restrictions to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Virginia. Executive Order 72 mandates several new restrictions and violations can be charged as a misdemeanor. The new restrictions go into effect on December 14, 2020 and remain in effect until January 31, 2021.

What Are the New Restrictions Outlined in Executive Order 72?

Executive Order 72 mandates even more severe restrictions than the previous Executive Orders. The most notable are listed below, but this is not an exhaustive list.

Stay-At-Home Order

All individuals in Virginia are not allowed to leave their homes between the hours of 12:00am and 5:00am, with limited exceptions (including to obtain food, medical attention, take care of other individuals or animals, travel related to child custody, visitation and child care, engaging in socially-distanced exercise, traveling to an individual’s residence, work, place of worship, or educational institution, volunteering with charitable or social service organizations, or leaving one’s residence due to fear for health or safety).

Stricter Face Mask Requirements

• Everyone 5 and older must wear a face mask covering their nose and mouth when indoors and around others (but not in their own homes)
• Everyone 5 and older must wear a face mask when outdoors and unable to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other people
• Employees of essential retail businesses must wear face masks while working. Essential retail businesses include: grocery stores, pharmacies, dollar stores, department stores, and other businesses with grocery or pharmacy operations; medical, lab and vision supply retailers; cell phone, computer, and tech service providers; auto and tire retail and repair facilities; home improvement, hardware, and building supply retailers; lawn and garden equipment retailers; beer, wine and liquor stores; retail functions of gas stations and convenience stores; retail within healthcare facilities; banks and other financial institutions with retail functions; pet stores; printing and office supply stores; and laundry mats and cleaners.

Restaurant Restrictions

No Alcohol After 10:00pm

Alcohol cannot be purchased, sold, consumed, or possessed after 10:00pm in any restaurant, dining establishment, food court, brewery, microbrewery, distillery, winery or tasting room (unless ordered for delivery or take-out in accordance with Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABD) laws).

No Bar Seating Allowed

Customers are not allowed to sit at the bar in restaurants, bars, etc. and can only sit in the bar area if a minimum of 6 feet is between each table.

Employees of Bars and Restaurants Must Wear Face Masks

Employees of bars, restaurants, etc. are required to wear masks covering their noses and mouths while working.

Patrons of Bars and Restaurants

Patrons of bars, restaurants, etc. must wear face masks except while eating or drinking.

Closure of Dining Areas in Restaurants

Dining areas in restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms must be closed between the hours of 12:00am and 5:00am. However, these establishments may still delivery and carry-out services during those hours.

6 Feet Separation in Restaurants

Parties must be separated by at least 6 feet in bars and restaurants.

Gatherings Limited to 10 People

All in-person gatherings of people who do not live in the same household are limited to 10 people or less. This restriction does not apply to attending religious services, so long as people attending religious services: adhere to a distance of 6 feet apart, mark seating and common areas to maintain social distancing, wear face masks/coverings. Gatherings related to religious services must adhere to the restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people listed above.

Click here for the full text of Executive Order 72.

 

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tags: Class 1 Misdemeanor | Executive Order | Virginia ABC | Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Authority