RICHMOND, Va, (AP)
— Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said he anticipates nonessential
businesses in the state reopening on May 15, saying more time is still
needed to help contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Northam
announced Monday that he is extending by another week an executive
order mandating that some nonessential businesses close and banning
large gatherings.

“The message today is that we will reopen Virginia next Friday,” May 15, Northam said.

The
governor said while the state has made improvements in flattening the
curve, or slowing the rate of new infections, Virginia needs to ensure
positive trends continue related to testing, hospital capacity and the
supply of medical equipment.

“I want to make it very clear: This virus is still here,” Northam said. “We must not relax our vigilance.”

His executive order, which forces the closure of some businesses and severely restricts how others operate, was set to expire this Friday. His order also bans gatherings of 10 or more in public or private.

The
governor, a Democrat, has come under increasing pressure from
Republican lawmakers and others to reopen the state as some other
Southern states have done. Republicans and business owners said Monday
that they were disappointed Northam isn’t reopening the state sooner,
particularly in rural areas where there have been fewer cases of the
virus.

“The
governor’s decision to use a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is going to
negatively impact certain parts of Virginia worse than others,”
Republican House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert said in a statement.

Nicole
Riley, state director of the National Federation of Independent
Business in Virginia, said many small businesses wanted to reopen this
week.

“Small-business
owners are telling us they think a gradual reopening should start very
soon, and most believe they can handle health and safety requirements,”
she said.

Northam
said that when nonessential businesses do reopen, there will be
noticeable changes. Restaurants will seat customers farther apart and
employees will wear face masks. Gyms will open, but with fewer people
than normal. The governor said the state will issue new guidelines for
specific industries in coming days.

The
governor said he anticipates a three-phased reopening, with
restrictions on how businesses, churches and other public spaces ease
into each phase. He said he anticipates each phase to last about three
weeks.

For most
people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and
cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older
adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause more severe
illness, including pneumonia, and be life-threatening.

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