This is a summary of the Governor’s new “Safer at Home Order” that replaces executive order 9-20.
The new “Safer at Home Order” will go into effect Monday, May 4, 2020 at 12:01 AM. The full executive order 32-20 can be viewed at: https://governor.wv.gov/Documents/2020%20Executive%20Orders/Executive-Order-April-30-2020-Safer-At-Home-Order.pdf
All individuals within the State of West Virginia will be under a general safer-at home order and are strongly encouraged to stay at home or their place of residence unless performing an essential activity.
Essential activities:
Obtaining food, medicine, and other similar goods necessary for the
individual or a family member of the individual.
Obtaining medical care and treatment and other similar vital services for an individual or a family member of the individual.
Going to and from an individual’s workplace if such workplace and/or work can be open at this time.
Going to and from the home of a family member.
Going to and from an individual’s place of worship.
Engaging in outdoor activity, provided that individuals at all times and as much as reasonably possible maintain social distancing of six feet from one another and abide by a 25-person limitation on gathering size.
Non-essential businesses and operations must generally continue to temporarily cease operations, but certain small businesses may resume operations with appropriate precautions. Information on such businesses and guidance can be found at https://governor.wv.gov/
Religious entities.
Religious facilities, entities, and groups and religious gatherings, including weddings and funerals; provided that such gatherings should still practice proper social distancing of six feet between persons to the greatest extent possible. Additional guidance for religious entities is available at governor.wv.gov.
Barbers and Cosmetologists.
Barber shops, nail salons, and hair salons may operate in accordance with guidance and best practices developed, published, and disseminated by the West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. More information can be found at https://www.wvbbc.com/
Dog Groomers.
Dog groomers may operate, but must generally follow applicable guidelines for small businesses, more information is available at https://governor.wv.gov/
Prohibited activities.
All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to locations with amusement rides, carnivals, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, pool halls, bingo halls, malls (except that stores in a mall that have a direct outdoor entrance and exit that provide essential services and products under the terms of this Order and stores in a mall that have a direct outdoor entrance and exit that constitute those small businesses of 10 or fewer employees with more limited customer interaction and customer contact, if any, as described in Section 2 of this Order, may remain open), children’s play centers, playgrounds, bowling alleys, movie and other theaters, concert and music halls, adult entertainment venues, social clubs, and other similar businesses shall be closed.
Avoid social gatherings.
All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited, except for the limited purposes permitted by this Order. Any gathering of more than 25 people is prohibited unless exempted by this Order.
Elderly and vulnerable populations, including those who are 65 or older or have preexisting conditions, are strongly encouraged to remain at home or their place of residence to the greatest extent possible.