ROANOKE, VA – Governor Northam announced during his Tuesday press conference that he is instituting an Executive Order for the Hampton Roads portion of Virginia to help lessen the spread of Covid-19.

This order will begin at 12am Friday, July 31st.  The order states that alcohol sales will be prohibited after 10pm; restaurants must close at midnight; no more than 50% capacity of patrons will be allowed in restaurants, wineries and breweries; and no more than 50 people will be permitted at any public or private gathering – both indoor and outdoor.

He urged Virginians to remain hopeful and to continue wearing masks, social distancing, frequently washing hands and staying at home when possible.

Speaking at a news conference, the Democratic governor cited a rise in infections among young people in the Hampton Roads region as well as alcohol use. Northam, who is a physician, said the virus spreads when “too many people are selfish.”

“And we all know that alcohol changes your judgment,” Northam said. “You just don’t care as much about social distancing after you’ve had a couple of drinks. That’s when the virus gets spread. And that’s why we are taking this action.”

The Hampton Roads region includes cities such as Norfolk and Virginia Beach. The order takes effect at 12 a.m. Friday. It will also shutter restaurants by midnight and restrict indoor dining to 50% of an establishment’s capacity.

The restrictions are Virginia’s latest effort to reign in a virus that has largely slowed its spread in much of the rest of the state.

Currently, Hampton Roads is at a 10.8% positive rate with Southern Virginia at a 7.1% positive rate.