Last Tuesday, Gov. Ralph Northam stepped up enforcement of guidelines and restrictions as cases in the Hampton Roads area started to show what he characterized as a “troubling” increase.
According to local health officials, the rise in cases in the region is driven partly by people gathering in groups, often without wearing face coverings.
To increase enforcement of existing restrictions in restaurants and other places where people gather, Northam directed teams made up of members from the health departments, the Virginia ABC, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and other licensing agencies, to conduct unannounced visits to establishments as needed.
Northam also asked mayors of beach towns for an update on how they are following through on beach access plans put forth in May, and has directed Virginia ABC to develop a plan to impose an earlier cutoff for alcohol sales at restaurants.
Northam said that he will consider additional actions as needed.
