Governor Northam is issuing a new stay-at-home order and curfew from midnight until 5:00 am, effective at 12:01 am Monday, December 14 to try to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The Governor is asking residents to stay at home during those hours unless they are traveling to or from work.
The new, modified stay-at-home order will continue until at least January 31.
COVID-19 cases in Virginia continue to set records with an average of 4,000 cases daily. The rate of positivity for tests now stands at 11%. The rate was about 5% a month ago.
Northam says hospitalizations for COVID have increased 80% in the past 4 weeks and that ICU capacities are being strained, especially in far Southwest Virginia. Staffing also continues to be a problem.
The governor is also encouraging residents to stay at home as much as possible, to continue to telework if able, and to wear a mask in all indoor public spaces and also if visiting another person's home.
All workers in restaurants are now required to wear masks, even kitchen staff. Northam says other previously implemented restaurant restrictions, such as no alcohol sales after 10 pm and separating tables by at least six feet, will continue.
In addition, social gatherings will now be limited to 10 people.
Masks will be required outdoors if a person cannot maintain six feet of separation from others.
Indoor recreational sports will be limited to 25 people per field. Outdoor sports will be limited to two guests per player.
Northam says school superintendents will continue to make their own decisions for their localities as to whether to offer online or in-person schooling or a mix of both.
The Governor is also strongly encouraging faith leaders to utilize online or outdoor worship services, or to require masks and social distancing for indoor services.
The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association reports that 2,051 Virginians are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, with 415 patients in ICU and 203 of those on ventilators.
More on this story from our media partner, ABC 13 - WSET.