During his Wednesday, February 19 coronavirus response media-briefing, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced that he is loosening certain COVID-19 restrictions currently affecting businesses and schools across the state.
Justice first hinted at taking these steps earlier in the week, saying “We’ve (the state’s pandemic leadership team) been in a bunch of discussions regarding some ideas to lessen restrictions on our businesses and on our schools so we can move forward. I think we can move in that direction now.”
On Wednesday, through the signing of several executive orders, Justice increased the occupancy limits for restaurants and bars from 50% of their seating capacity, to 75%, provided that social distancing between groups can be maintained. Bars may only increase occupancy to 75% capacity if they can provide physical seating for all patrons.
“Hopefully we can remove every one of these limitations in the next couple of weeks,” Justice said.
Justice further stated, “I’ve opted today to move this out from 50% to 75% basically, in the hopes that for our restaurants and bars, it’ll help them. It’ll take just a little bit more of the burden off their back. [] I truly believe, in the next very few weeks, we’ll be able to move that to 100%.”
For smaller-businesses and retail stores, the occupancy limits have been raised from two-people per one-thousand square feet to four-people per one-thousand square feet. And for grocery stores, the limits have been increased from three-people per one-thousand square feet, to six.
“Basically I am doubling the limitation in our grocery stores,” Justice said.
The governor also raised the limitations on social gatherings from 25-people, to 75-people, provided social distancing can still be observed.
As of Monday, February 22, all West Virginia teachers and school service-personnel over 50-years of age who requested to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will have received their second-dose.
“Therefore, I am calling on the State Board of Education to make it mandatory that all counties send their students in grades K through eight back to full-time,” Justice said. “I am also signing an executive order to clarify that K through eighth-grade students in all counties statewide should be in school.”
Indoor music performances, excluding those involving vocals or wind-blown instruments may now resume, provided that they are held in accordance with current guidelines.
Justice stated that the face-covering mandate remains in effect. He further stated that, should West Virginia experience further outbreaks or spikes in the COVID-19 infection rate, restrictions may again be imposed.
The West Virginia Daily News will provide updates on current COVID-19 restrictions as additional details are made available.
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