Northam says the long onslaught of the pandemic has put a strain on doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who have “worked tirelessly for 22 months.”

Marking one year since the first reported coronavirus case in Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam announced a plan to stand up more than a dozen mass vaccination sites.

The move comes as waitlists continue to balloon and local leaders plead for more help.

“I want you to empty those freezers and get shots in arms,” Northam said.

As coronavirus cases spike across parts of Virginia, the state is cracking down on its enforcement of social distancing and mask compliance.

A judge also declined to order law enforcement to limit crowd control measures in the future, saying it “unnecessarily burdens the police and puts them and the public at risk.”

The entire commonwealth, including Northern Virginia, is expected to enter Phase Three, which allows for gatherings up to 250 people and lifts capacity restrictions on nonessential businesses, including restaurants.

Executive branch state employees will have a paid day off Friday to commemorate the anniversary of the end of slavery.

Northam announced Monday that he anticipated easing some restrictions by May 15, allowing hair salons, gyms, restaurants and other nonessential businesses to reopen with social distancing and hygiene measures in place.

“It means you can go out to eat again, but restaurants will use less of their seating to spread people out more,” Northam said at a press briefing on Monday.