CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Even as restrictions for businesses and individuals ease under Gov. Jim Justice’s “Safer at Home” order, state Chief Health Officer Dr. Cathy Slemp is urging citizens to use caution.
Slemp said during Monday’s COVID-19 press briefing that officials are excited to reopen the economy in the state but to do that depends on the state’s ability to take a disciplined approach to Justice’s reopening plan “West Virginia Strong: The Comeback.”
“While it is critically important to make this move, it’s also important to not do so by simply going back to normal. We have to be cautious and disciplined with this reopen and recognize the impact that doing so too rapidly would have on our communities,” Slemp said.
“We could definitely see rises in disease if we do this too quickly.”
The new order from Justice went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, strongly encouraging, not commanding, residents to stay home like the previous “Stay at Home” order.
Under the new order, small businesses can open if they have 10 or fewer employees, restaurants for outdoor dining only, churches, barbershops, hair salons, and pet groomers with social distancing guidelines, and extending social gatherings to 25 people or less.
Slemp recommended all business reopening to emphasize the physical distancing component and face covering. She also noted that capacity restrictions for all retailers and grocers (three customers per 1,000 square feet) will remain in effect for all counties.
“With our businesses coming back online, they should still maximize the use of telework and delivery services,” she said.
“Use physical distancing strategies, minimize non-essential travel. Those are really important to be doing at this time.”
Slemp also emphasized that the at-risk population to the virus should remain at home. That includes those considering returning to faith-based services, which Slemp noted often has a majority of at-risk population.
“Our elderly workers, individuals with a chronic disease that put them at higher risk, they should truly remain at home and stay in that shelter in place aspect of things currently,” she said.
The latest numbers from the state Department of Health and Human Resources indicate the state is at a 2.27 positive test rate for COVID-19.
Between Sunday evening and Monday afternoon, Justice removed six counties including Jackson, Kanawha, Ohio, Cabell, Wayne, and Wood counties off the “hotspot” list for the virus. Marion, Berkeley, Jefferson, Harrison, and Monongalia counties remain on the list and must follow tighter social restrictions.