This page is part of our Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Virginia updates and support
Virginia’s Statewide Stay at Home Order

Frequently Asked Questions

Governor Northam, in consultation with State Health Commissioner Oliver, may adjust this order or issue new orders as needed, given the quickly-changing public health situation.

Yes. However, Governor Northam is urging Virginians to limit all non-essential travel outside the home, if and when possible. If you choose to go to the park, for a walk, or exercise outside, please practice strict social distancing and keep six feet apart from others. All public and private gatherings of more than 10 people are banned.

No. Our roads and highways will remain open to move essential personnel and critical supplies.

Attendees may travel to their place of worship, park in the parking lot and listen to the religious message while remaining in their vehicles.  Participants must remain in their vehicle at all times, except as necessary to visit a restroom.  There must be no more than 10 individuals leading the religious ceremony or functioning outside of the church in support of the religious ceremony. 

Any interaction by the faith leaders and those in the vehicles must be strictly limited, such as using social distancing methods when passing out palms, serving Holy Communion using sealed or self-contained elements, and priests directing congregants to place ashes or water on their own forehead as opposed to priests applying the ashes or water directly on the foreheads of the congregants. 

Any objects used for collecting monetary offerings shall not be passed from attendee to attendee but may be offered to attendees in a  vehicle  as along as the object stays in the possession of the person assisting with collection.  Appropriate measures should be taken for the safety of those functioning outside of the cars.  Faith communities should also adhere to any noise ordinances. 

Specific guidance for faith leaders and faith communities can be found here:


Additional guidance (2nd resource) for faith leaders and faith communities can be found here:

No. Virginia law enforcement will not require documentation from any individuals traveling outside of their homes. 

You may wish to report this information to your local law enforcement agency.

The Gathering Ban and the restrictions imposed on businesses and other entities are distinct requirements. The Gathering Ban is a mandate on every individual in the Commonwealth to refrain from congregating in close physical proximity to ten or more other individuals, regardless of location.  The restriction does not apply to family members that live in the same household. 

In addition to the Gathering Ban, certain entities (including all non-essential retail businesses and businesses offering take-out food or beverages) are prohibited from having more than 10 patrons inside the business at any given time, regardless of whether the patrons are in close physical proximity or social distancing is observed (the Ten Patron Limit). Other businesses and entities (including essential retail businesses) are not subject to the Ten Patron Limit but must observe social distancing. The mere presence of more than 10 people working inside a business’ building, facility, or worksite is not a “gathering” so long as such individuals do not congregate in a single physical space.

If you live in a jurisdiction that has moved into Phase One under Executive Order 61 and Order of Public Health Emergency Three, the mandatory stay at home order is no longer effective. As the Governor continues to stress, however, even with the easing of some business restrictions, everyone is safer at home, especially those in vulnerable populations.  If you live in a jurisdiction that remains in Phase Zero, as set forth in Amended Executive Order 62 and Amended Order of Public Health Four, the stay at home order is still in effect.

Businesses

The following recreational and entertainment businesses must close to the public:

  • Theaters, performing arts centers, concert venues, museums, and other indoor entertainment centers;
  • Beauty salons, barber shops, spas, massage parlors, tanning salons, and tattoo shops. According to this order, any other brick and mortar locations where personal care or personal grooming services are performed that would not allow compliance with social distancing guidelines to remain six feet apart must also close;
  • Racetracks and historic horse racing facilities; and
  • Bowling alleys, skating rinks, arcades, amusement parks, trampoline parks, fairs, arts and craft facilities, aquariums, zoos, escape rooms, indoor shooting ranges, public and private social clubs, and all other places of indoor public amusement.

Restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, tasting rooms, and farmers markets must close their dining and congregation areas, but they may remain open for delivery and take-out services.Non-essential retail businesses must limit their operations to ten patrons or less with adequate social distancing. If they cannot limit their operations to 10 patrons or less with adequate social distancing, then they must close.

Non-essential retail businesses are brick-and-mortar operations that consist of everything except the following: 

  • Grocery, pharmacy, and other retailers that sell food and beverage products or pharmacy products, including dollar stores and department stores with grocery or pharmacy operations; 
  • Medical supply retailers; 
  • Electronic retailers that sell or service cell phones, computers, tablets, and other communications technology; 
  • Automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers; 
  • Home improvement, hardware, building material, and building supply retailers; 
  • Lawn and garden equipment retailers; 
  • Beer, wine, and liquor stores; 
  • Retail functions of gas stations and convenience stores; 
  • Retail located within healthcare facilities; 
  • Banks and other financial institutions with retail functions; 
  • Pet and feed stores; 
  • Printing and office supply stores; and 
  • Laundromats and dry cleaners.

Restaurant lobbies may remain open for take-out only. The restaurant must maintain adequate social distancing and may only allow up to 10 patrons in the lobby at one time.

Any business that is not explicitly set forth in the essential categories listed above should limit operations to 10 patrons or less with adequate social distancing.

All other categories of business should utilize teleworking as much as possible. Where telework is not feasible, such businesses must adhere to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing practices on common surfaces, and other appropriate workplace guidance from state and federal authorities while in operation. 

The following sources provide workplace guidance for operations that remain open: 

Businesses in violation of this order may be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Businesses impacted by COVID-19 can also request to defer the payment of state sales tax due, March 20, 2020, for 30 days. When granted, businesses will be able to file no later than April 20, 2020 with a waiver of any penalties. 

The Virginia Department of Taxation has extended the due date of payment of Virginia individual and corporate income taxes. While filing deadlines remain the same, the due date for individual and corporate income tax will now be June 1, 2020. Please note that interest will still accrue, so taxpayers who are able to pay by the original deadlines should do so.

Regional workforce teams have been activated to support employers that slow or cease operations. Employers who do slow or cease operations will not be financially penalized for an increase in workers requesting unemployment benefits.

For the purposes of this order, employment settings are not considered gatherings. However, all essential businesses must, to the extent possible, practice social distancing, increase sanitizing of common surfaces, and other appropriate workplace guidance from state and federal authorities. If you are concerned your employer is not following these guidelines, please contact OSHA or the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

Nothing in the Executive Order impacts business sectors that are not explicitly listed. The Executive Order only covers (1) recreation and entertainment businesses, (2) brick and mortar non-essential retail businesses, and (3) restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, tasting rooms, and farmers markets. 

Where feasible and practicable, workplaces should require telework. For operations where telework is not feasible, we strongly recommend adhering to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing practices on common surfaces, and applying the relevant workplace guidance from CDC, Occupational and Safety Health, and Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

Nothing in the executive order impacts outdoor recreation businesses that are not explicitly listed in the Executive Order. Where feasible and practicable, office workplaces should require telework. For operations where telework is not feasible, we strongly recommend adhering to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing practices on common surfaces, and applying the relevant workplace guidance from CDC, Occupational and Safety Health, and Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

Yes, but they have to conduct business differently. They can provide pick-up, grab and go, delivery, CSAs, and online sales. However, they cannot include dining, on-site browsing, or congregating. 

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is actively working with partners to identify best practices and recommendations to assist farmers’ markets. If you are a vendor seeking assistance with other marketing opportunities because your operations have been impacted or if you have suggested best practices that could be shared with others, please contact vdacs.commissioner@vdacs.virginia.gov.

No, the prohibition applies to social gatherings. Where feasible and practicable, workplaces should require telework. For operations where telework is not feasible, we strongly recommend adhering to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing practices on common surfaces, and applying the relevant workplace guidance from CDC, Occupational and Safety Health, and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

Providers with a barber or cosmetology license can provide one-on-one services in their clients’ homes during this 30 day period. Providers must, to the extent possible, practice social distancing and take health precautions, including washing your hands and sanitizing all tools. To protect yourself and your clients, stay home at the first sign of a cold or fever.

No. If your clients are seeking medical or healthcare treatment, your operations are not limited. We strongly recommend adhering to enhanced sanitizing practices on common surfaces and applying the relevant workplace guidance from CDC, Occupational and Safety Health, and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

Restaurants are responsible for ensuring that no more than 10 patrons are in the establishment and that all patrons observe social distancing of 6 feet.

No. Self-service is not allowed.

Patrons may self-dispense drinks as surface contact and length-of-time to do so is limited, so long as the number of patrons remains 10 or fewer and they maintain social distancing of 6 feet or greater.

Workers

You may file a claim for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). To receive benefits, you must meet certain minimum requirements, including having sufficient past earnings and an immigration status that allows you to work. If VEC approves your claim, you will receive a weekly benefit payment that is dependent on your past earnings. The maximum benefit amount is $378 for up to 26 weeks. For more information about Unemployment Insurance benefits and to file a claim, please visit http://www.vec.virginia.gov/node/11699.

If your weekly earnings fall below what would be your weekly unemployment insurance benefit, you may file a claim for partial Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). For more information about Unemployment Insurance benefits and to file a claim, please visit http://www.vec.virginia.gov/node/11699.

To file a nonpayment of wages claim, please visit the Virginia Department of Labor’s website at https://www.doli.virginia.gov/labor-law/payment-of-wage-english/.

If your employer is covered under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), they may be required to provide you with up to 12 weeks unpaid leave. Leave from FMLA is awarded to individuals with a “serious” condition that is defined in the law as requiring inpatient care or three days continued treatment from a health care provider. The coronavirus does not necessarily present a “serious” condition, and the U.S. Department of Labor has not issued guidance on this. Please check back here for updated information.

If you meet certain requirements, your employer must provide you with up to 12 weeks of job-protected time off to care for a parent, spouse, domestic partner, minor child, or adult dependent child with a serious health condition. These requirements include: 1) your employer has at least 50 employees within 75 miles of your worksite; 2) you have worked with the employer for at least a year; and 3) you worked at least 1250 hours in the year before you take time off. 

The federal government is working on policies to help support sick and medical leave for all individuals affected by the coronavirus. Please check back here for updated information. The Federal Family Medical Leave Act enforces requirements for paid sick leave. Information and assistance can be obtained at (866) 487-9243.

Yes. A Virginia employer is only required to pay an employee for the work performed.

All essential retail establishments must, to the extent possible, adhere to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing practices on common surfaces, and other appropriate workplace guidance from state and federal authorities. If you are concerned your employer is not following these guidelines, please contact OSHA or the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

Additional information can be found in the Office of the Governor’s Frequently Asked Questions guide for Virginia workers, available at https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2020/march/headline-854487-en.html.

Children and Families

Absolutely. All 132 Virginia school divisions have received waivers to provide food to their communities. Call 2-1-1 or see here for a full list of meal locations.

Yes. Childcare centers are still open, but Governor Northam urges all parents who can stay home with their children to do so, to prioritize the children of parents working in essential sectors. Childcare centers that remain open must employ cleaning and social distancing requirements in keeping with Department of Social Services guidelines, here.

Non-essential medical care like eye exams, teeth cleaning, and elective procedures should be cancelled or rescheduled. Non-urgent medical appointments should be cancelled or held via telehealth.

Yes. You may leave your home to get groceries or fill your prescriptions.

Outdoor Recreation

Yes, as long as you are maintaining a safe social distance of six feet from people who are not a part of your household. Gyms, fitness centers, indoor recreation centers and indoor sports facilities must close.

No, you may still go outside so long as you practice social distancing of six feet. Virginia State Parks have closed visitor centers, but trails and outdoor spaces are still open. For information on Virginia State Parks, please see here.

Nothing in Executive Order 53 or 55 impacts outdoor recreation businesses that are not explicitly listed in the Executive Orders. However, we strongly recommend adhering to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing practices on common surfaces, and applying the relevant workplace guidance from CDC, Occupational and Safety Health, and Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.  

Any public or private club function of the clubhouse must close.

Any restaurant function of the clubhouse can remain open only for takeout and delivery. All dining areas must be closed.

Any retail function of the clubhouse is considered non-essential retail and must follow the guidelines below: 

Non-essential retail businesses must limit their operations to ten patrons or less with adequate social distancing. If they cannot limit their operations to 10 patrons or less with adequate social distancing, then they must close.

The course itself may remain open, but the ban on gatherings of 10 people or more applies. Nothing in the Executive Order 53 or 55 impacts outdoor recreation businesses that are not explicitly listed in the Executive Orders. However, we strongly recommend adhering to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing practices on common surfaces, and applying the relevant workplace guidance from CDC, Occupational and Safety Health, and Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

Beginning April 1, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., privately-owned campgrounds must cease all reservations for overnight stays of less than 14 nights. Long-term overnight stays continue to be permissible. However, we strongly recommend adhering to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing practices on common surfaces, and applying the relevant workplace guidance from CDC, Occupational and Safety Health, and Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.  

Pools are recreation and fitness facilities, and are required to close.

No; however, social distancing requirements still apply. Recreation facilities explicitly listed in the executive order (including fitness centers, gymnasiums, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, arcades, and indoor exercise facilities) must close. 

Pets

Yes, you can walk your dog. Remember to distance yourself at least six feet from other pets and owners.

Virginia localities are determining dog park closures based on the ability of visitors to follow safe social distancing guidelines. For information on your local dog park, please contact your local Mayor’s office.

Veterinarians and pet hospitals will remain open, and you can bring your pets if they are sick or urgently need medical attention. If your pet has a non-urgent need or annual check- up, you should postpone the appointment.