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On Friday, May 14th, Virginia Governor Northam announced changes to Executive Order 72 - effectively eliminating the mask requirement for all vaccinated individuals in the church, as well as increasing the capacity limit for fellowship gatherings to 100 people indoors. He also announced that as of May 29th, he will be removing all distancing and capacity requirements, allowing the church to meet together without capacity and distancing restrictions.

MASKS: Responding to CDC guidance advising that all vaccinated persons do not need to wear masks in almost all settings, Governor Northam amended Executive Order 72 to reflect very similar guidelines.

Per the order, vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear masks on the premises. Also per the order, the mask requirement is still in place for unvaccinated individuals aged 5 and up, with the following exceptions:

  • While eating or drinking;
  • Individuals exercising or using exercise equipment;
  • Any person who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance; 
  • Any person seeking to communicate with the hearing impaired and for which the mouth needs to be visible; 
  • When temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to secure government or medical services; and
  • Persons with health conditions that prohibit wearing a face covering. Nothing in this Order shall require the use of a face covering by any person for whom doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety because of a medical condition.

As stated in Executive Order 72, those with a health exception to the mandate will not be required to explain or document the exception.

Amended Executive Order 72 (Effective as of May 15)

Amended Executive Order 79 (Effective as of May 29)