Northern Virginia will be able to enter its second phase of reopening its economy on Friday.

WAMU / Tyrone Turner

Northern Virginia will move into the second phase of reopening on Friday, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said during a press conference today, where he also laid out plans for the commonwealth’s schools. Northam previously directed the region and Richmond to stay in Phase One while the rest of the state moved into Phase Two on Friday, June 5.

Virginia’s Phase Two guidelines continue to emphasize the importance of staying home, social distancing, teleworking, keeping businesses clean and uncrowded, and requiring mask usage when indoors in public establishments. But the guidelines expand the maximum number of people allowed at a social gathering from 10 to 50.

In Phase Two, Northern Virginia restaurants and bars will be allowed to operate at 50% occupancy indoors, and fitness centers can open their indoor spaces at 30% occupancy. A number of other public entertainment and recreation places will also be allowed to open, provided that they don’t have patrons sharing equipment. That list includes museums, zoos, gardens, and outdoor venues for sports and the performing arts. Swimming pools will also be able to open both indoor and outdoor spaces for the public’s use.

“I know recent events have overshadowed the pandemic, but it is still very much with us,” Northam said. “But our health metrics are looking positive.”

Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey agreed: “People are doing what they need to do, they’re doing the social distancing,” she said, but noted that it’s “crucial that people still be aware the the virus is still in our community.” 

Garvey said she and Northern Virginia leaders had a phone conversation with Northam’s office prior to today’s announcement. She speculated that Northern Virginia might be able to enter Phase Three in three weeks’ time, depending on how Phase Two goes.

In a statement, Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay said, “We know this does not mean we are without risk, and Fairfax County will continue taking the necessary precautions to meet the needs of our residents and especially our vulnerable communities.”

“We must continue taking the necessary precautions (distancing, masks, stay home if sick, etc) to ensure that the progress continues,” Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson tweeted.

Coronavirus cases in Northern Virginia are trending downward, Northam said. The positivity rate — which measures how many tests come up positive and can be an indicator of adequate or inadequate testing — is currently at 10% and is decreasing.

Officials from Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties previously sent a letter to Northam at the end of May, requesting that the commonwealth make plans to move all locales into Phase Two together (Northern Virginia opted out of joining the rest of the state in reopening in Phase One earlier in the month). But that didn’t happen: The rest of the state shifted into Phase Two starting last week.

The officials’ letter also explained that Northern Virginia had not met two of the six benchmarks established by the state: adequate supplies of protective gear and expanded contact tracing capacity. Northam said that the state has made progress on getting protective equipment, and has adequate bed capacity for coronavirus patients. Virginia is also working towards the goal of hiring one contact tracer for every 1,200 people.

The District entered its version of a phased reopening plan at the end of May. In the Maryland suburbs, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties have also delayed reopening compared to the rest of the state, though Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks has suggested that the county might be ready to enter a second phase next week, too.

Younger students will return to school first

Northam said schools will reopen for the next school year, but it will be a different experience.

In Phase Two, school buildings will reopen for summer camps and in-person education, but to smaller groups of students first, as identified by individual school districts. Younger students, pre-kindergarten to third graders, English Learner students and those will special needs will be able to return to in-person instruction sooner than others.

James Lane, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, said the priority is to get those groups back in school sooner because they had the greatest challenges with remote learning.

In Phase Three of reopening, schools will open to all students, but with policies in place to reduce crowding, including physical distancing in classrooms, staggered schedules and staggered use of communal spaces, like cafeterias. It could also mean a blend of in-person learning and at-home learning. Clubs, extracurricular activities and certain sports with low levels of contact can return if students can still socially distance.

Students and staff should also undergo daily health screenings when they return this fall, according to a phase guidance for schools document. Staff must wear masks and older students are encouraged to do so. The state is also recommending districts should provide at-home options for high-risk students and staff.

The full list of details on Virginia school reopening can be found here.

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