RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said his city will begin a gradual reopening later this week, joining most of the rest of the state.
Stoney said Wednesday the city would start the first phase of reopening on Friday, when northern Virginia and Accomack County on the state’s Eastern Shore also start reopening.
Nonessential businesses across the state reopened on May 15 under modified restrictions set in place by Gov. Ralph Northam. Retail stores are operating with limited capacity and restaurant can provide dine-in service only outdoors.
Northern Virginia, Richmond and Accomack County were all granted two-week delays after elected leaders there expressed concern it was too early to open amid the coronavirus outbreak. They’re all set to start reopening Friday.
Northam said Tuesday he doesn’t yet know when the second statewide phase of reopening will occur.
Also on Tuesday, Northam rejected a request from Stoney to mandate that the city’s churches, barber shops and hair salons stay closed when the city begins reopening.
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. PHOTO: AP
