Much of Va. Entering Phase 2 on Friday, NoVa Excluded

Dear WANADA Members,

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced yesterday that much of the commonwealth, outside of Northern Virginia and the city of Richmond, would shift to phase two of the Forward Virginia plan beginning this Friday. Under Executive Order 65, indoor fitness centers may re-open at 30 percent of the lowest published maximum capacity, and indoor dining services can resume at a lower capacity, as well.

Outside of Northern Virginia and Richmond, outdoor communal spaces, including concert venues, zoos, and botanical gardens, may also open at 50 percent capacity, while adhering to social distancing guidelines outlined in the executive order.  Please note that the "Northern Virginia region," as defined by the governor, includes the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William, plus the independent cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Manassas, and Manassas Park. 

You may view the phase two guidelines for businesses at this link. The sections pertaining to brick-and-mortar retailers are located on pages 17 and 18. Please note that the statewide mask requirement for business patrons and employees remains in effect, and that all guidelines are to be enforced by the state Department of Health. You can also view the Phase One requirements and recommendations at this link; these requirements remain in effect for Northern Virginia for the time being.

It is important for dealers to note that, when Northern Virginia shifts to phase two, there will not be a major change in capacity limits for indoor retailers. Interior retail spaces across Virginia, like auto dealerships, are currently allowed to open at up to 50 percent of their lowest published capacity, and they must continue to encourage social distancing through visible signage and indoor floor spacing. 

Under phase two, auto repair facilities, which are defined as "essential services," will be asked follow the state's phase two recommendations, but only as best practices, with less exposure to state enforcement (outside of the mask requirement). That said, we strongly recommend that all our Virginia members do everything they can to adhere to all safety guidelines as if they were mandated, particularly in retailers like auto dealerships that offer both essential and non-essential services.

As always, you can contact me or Joe Koch ( jk@wanada.org) at any time if you have questions. And please feel free to refer to the WANADA COVID-19 Information Library as a repository of information related to safely operating your business during this time.

Sincerely,
  
John O'Donnell
WANADA President and CEO