Loudoun Will Enter Phase Two of Re-Opening on Friday
On Tuesday, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced that Loudoun County will join the rest of Northern Virginia in entering Phase Two of the Commonwealth’s economic re-opening on Friday, June 12.
The news comes two weeks after Loudoun and its surrounding jurisdictions entered Phase One, which yielded positive health results. It comes just one week after the rest of Virginia entered Phase Two.
“Overall, most of our numbers look good,” Northam told the media at a press conference. “Most of Virginia just entered Phase Two on Friday. Northern Virginia and the City of Richmond remain in Phase One, but the metrics from those areas also look positive and they can move into Phase Two as of this Friday, June 12.”
Northam’s Executive Order Sixty-Five created the “Forward Virginia” plan to continue safely and gradually easing public health restrictions while containing the spread of COVID-19.
All businesses should still adhere to physical distancing guidelines, frequently clean and sanitize high contact surfaces, and continue enhanced workplace safety measures.
In Phase Two, businesses can expect some of the following changes:
- The maximum number of individuals permitted in a social gathering will increase from 10 to 50 people;
- Restaurant and beverage establishments may offer indoor dining at 50 percent occupancy;
- Fitness centers may open indoor areas at 30 percent occupancy, and certain recreation and entertainment venues without shared equipment may open with restrictions, including museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and outdoor concert, sporting, and performing arts venues.
- Swimming pools may also expand operations to both indoor and outdoor exercise, diving, and swim instruction.
- The current guidelines for religious services, non-essential retail, and personal grooming services will largely remain the same in Phase Two.
- Overnight summer camps, most indoor entertainment venues, amusement parks, fairs, and carnivals will also remain closed in Phase Two.
Loudoun businesses are also encouraged to take the “Loudoun Is Ready” pledge today and commit to the best health and safety practices for your customers as we enter COVID-19 recovery. Businesses that take the pledge will gain no-cost marketing exposure and business resources, including:
- ‘Loudoun Is Ready’ window stickers, campaign buttons and social distancing floor markers;
- Update emails on the latest in health and safety standards;
- Marketing features in the Take Loudoun Home campaign.
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