Some COVID-19 restrictions in Virginia are easing starting Monday. Restaurants and bars will be able to sell alcohol until midnight. Outdoor entertainment and public amusement parks can operate at a capacity of 30% or 1,000 people.
FILE - In this Wednesday Nov 18, 2020. file photo, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam gestures during a COVID-19 briefing at the Capitol in Richmond, Va. Virginia lawmakers are set to start this year’s legislative session focused on COVID-19 relief efforts and legalizing marijuana. The 2021 session will kick off Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 with lawmakers meeting away from the Capitol as the state continues to wrestle with the impacts of a global pandemic that’s shut down school, closed businesses and left more than 5,000 Virginians dead in last 10 months, including a state senator. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)(AP/Steve Helber)
FILE - In this Wednesday Nov 18, 2020. file photo, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam gestures during a COVID-19 briefing at the Capitol in Richmond, Va. Virginia lawmakers are set to start this year’s legislative session focused on COVID-19 relief efforts and legalizing marijuana. The 2021 session will kick off Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 with lawmakers meeting away from the Capitol as the state continues to wrestle with the impacts of a global pandemic that’s shut down school, closed businesses and left more than 5,000 Virginians dead in last 10 months, including a state senator. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)(AP/Steve Helber)
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam will ease some COVID-19 restrictions in Virginia starting Monday.
Some of the restrictions that will be eased Monday include the following:
On-site alcohol sales at restaurants and bars will end at midnight, as opposed to the current 10 p.m. curfew. Restaurants, bars and breweries must be closed from midnight to 5 a.m.;
The midnight to 5 a.m. curfew will be lifted;
Outdoor social gatherings will increase from 10 people to 25, while indoor gatherings remain at 10 people.
Outdoor entertainment and public amusement parks can operate at a capacity of 30% or 1,000 people, up from 250. If hospitalizations and infection rates continue to decline, the venues will be able to operate at 30% with no cap on attendance in April.
Click to enlarge the graphic on what’s now allowed in Virginia. (Courtesy Virginia Governor’s Office)
The new guidelines will be in effect for at least a month, the governor’s office said.
Northam continues to urge all Virginians to continue wearing masks, washing hands and practicing social distancing.
Starting in May, overnight summer camps will be able to open with strict mitigation measures. Registration can start now.
Looking for more information? D.C., Maryland and Virginia are each releasing more data every day. Visit their official sites here: Virginia | Maryland | D.C.
Hannah Parker is a writer and editor for WTOP. She is most interested in covering social issues in the D.C. area and is always looking for news tips and story ideas.
Colleen Kelleher is an award-winning journalist who has been with WTOP since 1996. Kelleher joined WTOP as the afternoon radio writer and night and weekend editor and made the move to WTOP.com in 2001. Now she works early mornings as the site's Senior Digital Editor.
FILE - In this Wednesday Nov 18, 2020. file photo, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam gestures during a COVID-19 briefing at the Capitol in Richmond, Va. Virginia lawmakers are set to start this year’s legislative session focused on COVID-19 relief efforts and legalizing marijuana. The 2021 session will kick off Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 with lawmakers meeting away from the Capitol as the state continues to wrestle with the impacts of a global pandemic that’s shut down school, closed businesses and left more than 5,000 Virginians dead in last 10 months, including a state senator. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)(AP/Steve Helber)
FILE - In this Wednesday Nov 18, 2020. file photo, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam gestures during a COVID-19 briefing at the Capitol in Richmond, Va. Virginia lawmakers are set to start this year’s legislative session focused on COVID-19 relief efforts and legalizing marijuana. The 2021 session will kick off Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 with lawmakers meeting away from the Capitol as the state continues to wrestle with the impacts of a global pandemic that’s shut down school, closed businesses and left more than 5,000 Virginians dead in last 10 months, including a state senator. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)(AP/Steve Helber)
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