NEWS RELEASE Contact: Chief, Cynthia McAlister
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE cmcalister@purcellvilleva.gov; 540-338-7422
GOVERNOR NORTHAM ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER SIXTY THREE REQUIRING FACE COVERING WHILE INSIDE BUILDINGS
PURCELLVILLE, Va., May 27, 2020 — Yesterday, May 26, 2020, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued Executive Order Sixty Three, which requires individuals to wear a face covering while in public indoor settings beginning on Friday, May 29, 2020. The order is based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that individuals should wear face coverings in public settings. The wearing of face coverings does not take the place of guidelines to maintain six feet of physical distancing, increase cleaning and sanitation, and washing hands regularly.
Medical masks and personal protective equipment should be reserved for health care personnel. Items such as a mask, scarf or bandana can be used providing it covers your nose and mouth. Under the Governor’s executive order, any person age ten and older must wear a mask or face covering at all times while entering, exiting, traveling through, and spending time in the following public settings:
- Personal care and grooming businesses
- Essential and non-essential brick and mortar retail including grocery stores and pharmacies
- Food and beverage establishments
- Entertainment or public amusement establishments when permitted to open
- Train stations, bus stations, and on intrastate public transportation, including in waiting or congregating areas
- State and local government buildings and areas where the public accesses services
- Any indoor space shared by groups of people who may congregate within six feet of one another or who are in close proximity to each other for more than ten minutes
Exemptions to these guidelines include:
- While eating and drinking at a food and beverage establishment
- Individuals who are exercising
- Children under the age of two
- A person seeking to communicate with a hearing-impaired person, for which the mouth needs to be visible
- Anyone with a health condition that keeps them from wearing a face covering
Order sixty three directs the Virginia Department of Health to enforce these requirements, and violations could be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor pursuant to § 32.1-27 of the Code of Virginia.
We are asking for your cooperation in looking out for the health of your family and neighbors. Your compliance will help ensure the public health of our community as everyone adjusts to these new guidelines. We appreciate your continued support of the well-being of our Purcellville residents, visitors, and businesses.
The full text of Executive Order Sixty Three can be found here:
https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/executive-actions/EO-63-and-Order-Of-Public-Health-Emergency-Five---Requirement-To-Wear-Face-Covering-While-Inside-Buildings.pdf
The Town of Purcellville, Virginia
“Purcellville-your small Town, where history and progress intersect and people prosper,” is an award-winning town of over 10,000 residents located in Loudoun County, approximately 50 miles west of Washington, DC. Having received the prestigious Siemens Sustainability Award for Small Communities, Purcellville continues to be honored for its green initiatives with most recently being the Tree City USA recipient for the 12th year. The Town was reaffirmed as a AAA rated community by S&P Global Ratings, the highest credit rating possible, and is ranked “Safest City” in Virginia in 2020. Once a stop along the W&OD rail line, which has been converted to a multi-use trail from Alexandria, VA to Purcellville, the Town has maintained its historic old-town feel through the restoration and maintenance of its many downtown structures, reflecting the Victorian architecture popular during the early 1900s. Today, Purcellville is the economic hub of western Loudoun County and a popular weekend destination for antiquing, equestrian activities, farmer’s markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants. More info at www.purcellvilleva.gov.
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