Advertisement

Header Utility Menu

  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Events

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

  • Login

Virginia Business

Mobile Menu

  • Issues
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Business Law
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Federal Contracting
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Technology
    • Transportation
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • Coronavirus 2020
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Most Influential Virginians
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Lists
  • Awards/Events
    • Diversity Leadership Series
    • Vote Now for Women in Leadership
    • Virginia 500
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Big Book of Lists
    • 100 People To Meet
    • Best Places To Work
  • Virginia 500
    • Read the issue
    • Order a copy
    • Buy an award plaque
    • Nominate execs for 2021

Advertisement

Header Primary Menu

  • virginiabusiness.com
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Home News Governor ends mask mandate for vaccinated people, effective midnight

Governor ends mask mandate for vaccinated people, effective midnight

Va. easing all distancing, capacity restrictions May 28, two weeks early

Published May 14, 2021 by Kate Andrews

Gov. Ralph Northam speaks at his May 6, 2021, news conference.

Following federal recommendations, Gov. Ralph Northam lifted Virginia’s mask mandate Friday, effective at midnight, for all vaccinated Virginians. He also announced Friday afternoon that all distancing and capacity restrictions will be lifted May 28, two weeks sooner than planned.

Masks will still be required at Virginia’s K-12 public schools, because of low vaccination rates among children, the governor said. Also, businesses retain the right to require masks, and employees in restaurants, retail, fitness, personal care and entertainment businesses must continue to wear masks until fully vaccinated, Northam added. He also urged those who are not vaccinated or partially vaccinated to continue covering their faces in “all settings.”

“It’s either a shot or a mask. It’s up to you,” Northam said Friday.

In place since last May, the masking mandate has been one of the most controversial parts of the state’s COVID-19 mitigation measures, causing conflicts at businesses that tried to enforce masks among customers and even closures of a few restaurants that didn’t enforce the rule.

In addition to ending the mask mandate for vaccinated Virginians, the governor said that he will lift all physical distancing measures and capacity limits on May 28, ahead of a previously announced June 15 change. So far, Northam has not released precise details, but in Friday’s announcement, he said Virginia’s pandemic state of emergency will remain in effect at least through June 30, “to provide flexibility for local government and support ongoing COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Gov. Northam will take executive action to ensure individuals have the option to wear masks up to and after that date.”

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance that fully vaccinated people — meaning those who received their final vaccine at least two weeks earlier — no longer need to wear masks or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws. In Virginia, Northam had previously lifted part of the masking mandate to allow fully vaccinated Virginians to shed masks for small outdoor gatherings but still required them at indoor events and crowded outdoor events.

But with Friday’s announcement, delivered via video, Northam said, “Virginians have been working hard, and we are seeing the results in our strong vaccine numbers and dramatically lowered case counts. That’s why we can safely move up the timeline for lifting mitigation measures in Virginia.

“I strongly urge any Virginian who is not yet vaccinated to do so — the vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your community from COVID-19. The message is clear: Vaccinations are how we put this pandemic in the rearview mirror and get back to being with the people we love and doing the things we have missed.”

On Thursday, following CDC and Food and Drug Administration approval, the state began allowing children ages 12 and older to receive Pfizer shots, and more than 63% of Virginia’s adult population, or more than 4 million people, have gotten at least one vaccine dose.

Virginians age 12 and older can schedule a vaccination appointment by visiting vaccinate.virginia.gov or calling 877-VAX-IN-VA, and Northam said that the state will have a “day of action” Tuesday to encourage the unvaccinated to get their shots. Vaccine makers have continued testing their shots, with hopes of providing vaccination to even younger children by the fall, possibly those as young as six months.

 

Subscribe to Virginia Business. Get our daily e-newsletter.

Related Stories

Gov. Ralph Northam announces new restrictions in response to the coronavirus during his March 23 news conference.

Northam issues more restrictions; schools closed for rest of semester

Governor also closing restaurant dining rooms, theaters, fitness centers, bowling alleys.

Virginia Business logo

SW Va. sees COVID increase; governor urges caution

State will add $30M to Rebuild VA fund

Virginia awaiting CDC approval before vaccinating kids ages 12-15

FDA expanded emergency use of Pfizer vaccine Monday

Trending

Finance/Insurance: STEPHAN Q. CASSADAY

Finance/Insurance: PAUL B. MANNING

Federal Contractors/Technology: JASON PROVIDAKES

Education: ANNE M. KRESS

Artemis I to launch with help from Va. contractors

Sponsored Stories

Why is my Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight pricing going up and my service level going down?  

Beyond Juneteenth – How Capital One is Commemorating and Implementing Change

How We Help Your Business Operate Better

Before the Breach: Get Serious About Cyber Resilience

Professionals are Discovering What it Means to Live Uniquely in the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia

Riverside Logistics Celebrates 25th Anniversary!

Girls for a Change Empowers Black Youth for the Future Workforce

The Jackson Ward Collective is equipping Black-owned small businesses with the tools for success

Advertisement

Advertisement

Trending

Finance/Insurance: STEPHAN Q. CASSADAY

Finance/Insurance: PAUL B. MANNING

Federal Contractors/Technology: JASON PROVIDAKES

Education: ANNE M. KRESS

Artemis I to launch with help from Va. contractors

Sponsored Stories

Why is my Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight pricing going up and my service level going down?  

Beyond Juneteenth – How Capital One is Commemorating and Implementing Change

How We Help Your Business Operate Better

Before the Breach: Get Serious About Cyber Resilience

Professionals are Discovering What it Means to Live Uniquely in the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia

Riverside Logistics Celebrates 25th Anniversary!

Girls for a Change Empowers Black Youth for the Future Workforce

The Jackson Ward Collective is equipping Black-owned small businesses with the tools for success

Get Virginia Business directly on your tablet or in your mailbox!

Subscribe to Virginia Business

Advertisement

Advertisement

Footer Primary Menu

  • virginiabusiness.com
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Footer Secondary Menu

  • Industries
  • Regions
  • Reports
  • Company News
  • Events

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Sign Up

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy

Footer Utility Menu

Copyright © 2023 Virginia Business. All rights reserved.

Site Maintained by TechArk