During his Monday, April 19 coronavirus response media briefing, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced the signing of Executive Order 12-21.
According to a statement released by the governor’s office, the new order clarifies “which previous executive orders pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic remain in effect and which do not, while also updating certain regulations.”
“Throughout the past year, I have signed a total of 91 executive orders to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Justice said during Monday’s briefing. “These orders were absolutely necessary to keep our people safe, keep our businesses afloat, and keep us on the right track to beat this virus. As a result, we have led the nation over and over. But, it can be confusing for the public to keep track of all the different orders. So today, I am signing a new executive order that’s cleaning up and doing away with a great, great many of the executive orders that have been in place.”
Justice continued, “There was a lot of stuff that was very valuable when we put it in that has now outlived its time, and now it’s time to move forward.”
The governor also confirmed the removal of the restrictions imposed upon social gatherings and announced that a new exemption has been added to the indoor face-covering mandate. Under the guidelines outlined in the new executive order, those actively engaged in physical activity, such as indoor sports, need not wear a face covering.
“I am also leaving in place the requirement that all healthcare facilities and providers in our state remain vigilant with plans for surge capacity and PPE in case we ever need it again,” Justice said.
The statement from the governor’s office further explains, “several additional orders suspending regulations to make access to health care, business licensure and other aspects of life easier will also remain in effect.”
The West Virginia Daily News will provide updates regarding the state’s evolving pandemic guidelines as additional details are made available.
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