LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) -- Many people have questions about Governor Ralph Northam's stay at home order issued Monday, March 30.
The order requires residents to stay at home with some exceptions to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus in Virginia.
Here’s a guide to what is permitted under the order:
- Obtaining food: Shopping at grocery stores is permitted under the executive order. All restaurants and cafes can only provide curbside pickup and delivery options.
- Pharmacies, dollar stores, and department stores: Retailers that sell food and beverage products or pharmacy products, including dollar stores, and department stores with grocery or pharmacy operations.
- ABC stores: ABC stores will be open from noon to 7 p.m. every day.
- Pet stores: You are allowed to shop for food for your pets and stores can stay open.
- Laundromats and dry cleaners: Cleaners may remain open while practicing social distancing.
- Places of worship: The executive order permits traveling to a place of worship, but you can not gather with 10 or more people. The governor recommended virtual worship services or drive through services.
- Private residences: You can leave your home to go to the home of a family member if you need to provide assistance. The executive order specifies you may leave if you are “taking care of other individuals, animals, or visiting the home of a family member.” You may also leave your home to facilitate child custody, visitation or child care.
- Exercise/going outside: You can go outside by engaging in outdoor activity, including exercise, provided you comply with social distancing requirements.
- Beaches: All beaches in Virginia are closed except for exercising or fishing.
- Camping: Effective April 1, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., you cannot stay overnight at privately-owned campgrounds.
- Golf courses: You may go golfing as long as you are in a group of ten or less and can follow social distancing.
- Educational institutions: All public and private schools and colleges must close in-person classes. Gatherings of 10 or more people are banned.
- Emergencies: You can leave due to a reasonable fear for health or safety, at the direction of law enforcement, or at the direction of another government agency.
For more on what's allowed under the Governor's Executive Order and how localities are enforcing these measures, visit our media partner, ABC 13 - WSET.