State and National Government

Gov. Ralph Northam

Governor Northam says he expects to present guidelines Friday to businesses planning to resume operations when he authorizes a Phase I reopening. Right now, Northam has set a tentative re-opening date of a week from Friday, but he again said today that while May 15th remains his hoped-for date, and he has not yet made a final decision.

Northam did say the trends that would trigger Phase 1 are favorable or “stable” but added the CDC guidelines would be followed to help make any final determination.

According to data released this morning by VDH, there are  764 new confirmed and probable  cases of coronavirus, bringing the overall case count to 20, 256. State health officials are also reporting 29 additional coronavirus related deaths, bringing the overall death toll across the Commonwealth to 713.

The number of confirmed COVID cases in Virginia has now declined for three of the last four days. The latest numbers from the state’s health department show 717 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period, and that compares to 929 four days ago. We do not know yet if that marks a change in trend or is an interruption in a longer-term upward direction.

RICHMOND, Va, (AP) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said he anticipates nonessential businesses in the state reopening on May 15, saying more time is still needed to help contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Northam announced Monday that he is extending by another week an executive order mandating that some nonessential businesses close and banning large gatherings.

“The message today is that we will reopen Virginia next Friday,” May 15, Northam said.

The governor said while the state has made improvements in flattening the curve, or slowing the rate of new infections, Virginia needs to ensure positive trends continue related to testing, hospital capacity and the supply of medical equipment.

“I want to make it very clear: This virus is still here,” Northam said. “We must not relax our vigilance.”

His executive order, which forces the closure of some businesses and severely restricts how others operate, was set to expire this Friday. His order also bans gatherings of 10 or more in public or private.

“The governor’s decision to use a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is going to negatively impact certain parts of Virginia worse than others,” Republican House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert said in a statement.

Nicole Riley, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business in Virginia, said many small businesses wanted to reopen this week.

“Small-business owners are telling us they think a gradual reopening should start very soon, and most believe they can handle health and safety requirements,” she said.

Northam said that when nonessential businesses do reopen, there will be noticeable changes. Restaurants will seat customers farther apart and employees will wear face masks. Gyms will open, but with fewer people than normal. The governor said the state will issue new guidelines for specific industries in coming days.

The governor said he anticipates a three-phased reopening, with restrictions on how businesses, churches and other public spaces ease into each phase. He said he anticipates each phase to last about three weeks.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and be life-threatening.

VDH is reporting more than 800 new coronavirus cases statewide bringing the overall case count to more than 19,000.This comes after a 940-case increase between Saturday and yesterday. According to data released this morning, there have been 24 additional COVID-19 related deaths in a 24-hour span.

The Virginia Department of Health is reporting 1,055 new coronavirus cases statewide bringing the overall case count to 16, 901. Data released this morning shows more than 105 thousand people have been tested for COVID-19, and since yesterday there have been 29 additional coronavirus related deaths, bringing the death toll to 581.

Attorney General Mark R. Herring has reached a settlement with two Roanoke-based telemarketing companies, and Roanoke resident Bryant Cass, for illegal robocalling and deceptive sales practices. Attorney General Herring filed suit against the two companies and Cass last summer, alleging that they made hundreds of thousands of unsolicited robocalls nationwide pitching car selling services to people who listed cars for sale on Craigslist, Autotrader.com, or similar sites. As part of the settlement agreement, Cass will pay $300,000 in restitution that will go back to consumers who were affected by his telemarketing, sales or refund practices. Additionally, Cass has been banned from engaging or participating in telephone solicitations for five years and has been permanently banned from illegal telemarketing and robocalling. The companies have ceased operations and are no longer in business.

“I’m really pleased my team and I were able to shut down this illegal robocall operation and help consumers get their money back from this scheme,” said Attorney General Herring. “Unfortunately, robocalls continue to be an everyday occurrence for most Virginians, and many times they can not only be annoying but dangerous, potentially scamming people out of hundreds or thousands of dollars. I will continue to do everything I can to protect Virginia consumers and find ways to stop illegal robocallers, especially those operating in Virginia.”