Violation of Ban on Mass Gatherings in Virginia is a CRIME!

Violating the Ban on Mass Gatherings in Virginia is Punished with Jail Time

Many people and businesses are financially impacted by the current ban on mass gatherings in Virginia due to social distancing guidelines as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  What many people don’t know-or are ignoring-is that violating this prohibition on mass gatherings is a CRIME.  It is a Class 1 misdemeanor and is punished with up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $2,500.  Criminal convictions in Virginia will remain on your permanent criminal record-no matter how minor the offense might seem-and can never be expunged.

Do not think that you can violate this prohibition without consequence-this order is being enforced.  Because this is an unprecedented situation, the only thing not known is what judges are likely to do if you are charged with a crime for refusing to follow the social distancing requirements and closures mandated in this order.

What is Prohibited by the Ban on Mass Gatherings in Virginia?

On March 23, 2020, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signed Executive Order 53 banning all public and private in person mass gatherings of 10 or more people.  The ban went into effect on March 24, 2020 and as of the time it was signed, will last until April 23, 2020.

Many local businesses are affected by the ban on mass gatherings in Virginia, including bars, restaurants, breweries, microbreweries, wineries, food courts, and farmers markets.  These businesses are allowed to stay open only for the limited purposes of providing take-out or delivery.

This order also forced the closure of many “non-essential” businesses.  Other business forced to close include recreational and entertainment businesses, such as theaters, performing arts centers, concert venues, museums, fitness centers, gyms, rec centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor exercise facilities, salons, barber shops, spas, massage parlors, tanning salons, tattoo parlors, any other place where personal care or grooming services are performed, racetracks, bowling alleys, skating rinks, arcades, amusement parks, fairs, arts and craft facilities, aquariums, zoos, escape rooms, shooting ranges, social clubs, and other indoor public amusement.

Additionally, all brick and mortal retail establishments not deemed “essential” by the order can only stay open if they limit their business to 10 customers at a time.  If they cannot have less than 10 people in their establishments while obeying the social distancing requirements, they must close.

Click here for a link to the order describing the ban on mass gatherings in Virginia.

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