VIRGINIA GOVERNOR NORTHAM IS PLANNING TO BEGIN THE FIRST STAGE OF REOPENING THE STATE NEXT WEEK

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam plans to reopen the state next week. The Governor announced his "Forward Virginia" plan on Monday, saying that he will follow a three-phase plan as soon as May 15. Each phase would last three weeks, moving from one phase to the next would depend on health data. Phase One would allow hair salons to reopen, but by appointment only. Restaurants and stores could reopen at lower capacity and with more stringent cleaning. Churches could also reopen with social distancing. Northam emphasized that the COVID-19  pandemic is not over and that social distancing must continue. Although, hospitals have remained flat for several weeks and requests from hospitals for personal protective equipment have decreased. The Governor also said that the pandemic could last a year or two before a vaccine is available.

---