News Flash

(ROANOKE COUNTY, Va.)  On Friday, June 5, most of Virginia will enter Phase Two of Governor Ralph Northam’s “Forward Virginia” plan to continue safely and gradually easing public health restrictions while containing the spread of COVID-19. 

On June 2, the Governor signed Executive Order Sixty-Five that modified public health guidance issued through the previous Executive Orders Sixty-One and Sixty-Two. Executive Order Sixty-Five also establishes guidelines for Phase Two reopening of Virginia. 

Under Phase Two, the Commonwealth will maintain a Safer at Home strategy with continued recommendations for social distancing, teleworking, and requiring individuals to wear face coverings in indoor public settings. The maximum number of individuals permitted in a social gathering will increase from 10 to 50 people. All businesses should still adhere to physical distancing guidelines, frequently clean and sanitize high contact surfaces, and continue enhanced workplace safety measures. 

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. These venues include 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.

For more information, see

Phase Two Guidelines for Specific Sectors

Forward Virginia Guidelines

Executive Order Sixty-Five and Order of Public Health Emergency

Amended Executive Order Sixty-One