VIRGINIA GOVERNOR NORTHAM ANNOUNCES THAT PEOPLE NEED TO START WEARING FACE MASKS IN PUBLIC ON FRIDAY

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced on Tuesday that people will need to stat wearing face masks in public. The governor said that everyone will need to wear a mask inside a public place starting this Friday. There are some exceptions to wearing the face masks in public: while eating or drinking, while exercising, if a person has trouble breathing or are unable to remove the mask without help, and if a person's health condition prohibits wearing a face mask. Children under 10 years of age also do not fall under the mandate. Northam added that any enforcement needed will be done by the health department, and any willful violation or refusal, failure, or neglect to comply with the order is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. He said that this is not a criminal matter and law enforcement will not have a role in enforcing the mandate. The governor said that he is not looking for people to get in trouble by not wearing a mask, but he is looking for people to do the right thing. 

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