Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has closed all K-12 schools, public and private, in the commonwealth for the remainder of the school year. He is also ordering the closing of some non-essential businesses for 30 days starting at 11:59 pm Tuesday.
All recreational and entertainment businesses, which includes theaters, bowling alleys and gyms, must close, along with personal care businesses such as barbershops, salons, spas and massage parlors. Restaurants can remain open, but only for take-out, curbside service, and delivery, no in-house dining.
Non-essential retail businesses can remain open, but will have to adhere to the no more than 10-person rule, which applies to the number of customers, not staff.
Essential businesses such as grocery stores, health care facilities, pharmacies, gas stations, banks and state ABC stores can remain open, but must adhere to social distancing and sanitizing requirements.
Gatherings of more than 10 people are banned and will be enforced by law enforcement.
The Governor also announced guidelines to help with child care for essential workers such as medical professionals, first responders and essential retail employees.
More than 40,000 Virginians applied for unemployment benefits last week and the Governor said he understands that these new closures and guidelines will lead to even more Virginians out of work. Apply for unemployment benefits at the VEC Website or call 1-866-832-2363.
The Governor said this health crisis will go on for months, not just weeks, and he knows that Virginians will have to change the way we live and will have to make sacrifices. "We can and will get through this together. This is a team and we will win this battle," Northam said.
More on this story from our media partner, ABC 13 - WSET.