Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced today that the commonwealth would move to Phase Three of reopening on Wednesday, July 1 — including Northern Virginia.

This allows social gatherings to grow up to 250 people, gyms and fitness centers to operate at 75% capacity, and capacity caps to be lifted on nonessential businesses, including restaurants.

It was initially thought that Northam would move the commonwealth into Phase Three last week, but he held off, saying that he needed to look at the data more closely. Northam particularly wanted to look into the higher infection rate of COVID-19 among Virginia’s Latino population.

Unlike with the other two phases, it’s expected that Northern Virginia and Richmond will also move into Phase Three with the rest of the commonwealth unless officials there say otherwise. When asked to clarify, Northam said that it’s his expectation they will do so, but that he’s open to having a conversation if local leaders feel their data tells a different story.

“To date, I haven’t heard that [Northern Virginia and Richmond] don’t intend to be with the rest of the state,” he reiterated.

During today’s press conference, Northam touted increased testing capabilities, the downward trend of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, hospital capacity, and improved contact tracing as the reasons that he is ordering Virginia to move to Phase Three. He said the commonwealth currently has 1,000 contact tracers and will be adding more in the coming days.

According to Virginia’s coronavirus dashboard, data has generally shown a movement in a positive direction. Northern Virginia remains one of the areas hardest hit by the coronavirus; Fairfax and Prince William counties are reporting more than 13,500 and 6,900 cases respectively.

Over the last month, the number of cases per day has fallen and, since May 26, the positivity rates have been cut in half, from 12.6%  to 6.4% on June 19. However, the number of people being tested, on a 7-day rolling average, have held generally steady since the beginning of the month and remains rather restrictive in the D.C. suburbs.

In Phase Three, physical distancing and face coverings in indoor public spaces will still be required. But many businesses will be able to reopen at some capacity, including museums, zoos, and outdoor entertainment venues at 50% capacity and a cap of 1,000 people. Child care services can open at full capacity and swimming pools can open at 75%  capacity. However, overnight summer camps remain closed. Teleworking also remains highly encouraged.

Northam’s announcement about Virginia’s move to Phase Three came with a warning, however. “If we become complacent and don’t continue to follow these guidelines, then the possibilities are there that we’d have to go back,” said Northam, “I don’t want that and I don’t think anyone wants to do that.”