Last Updated on December 10, 2020
Virginia Governor Ralph “Blackface” Northam ordered a statewide curfew Thursday, doubling down on his New York-style shutdown while also acting to further limit private gatherings just ahead of Christmas.
At a Thursday afternoon press conference, the Governor announced that effective December 14th, Virginians will not be permitted to leave their homes between the hours of 12 midnight and 5 AM. Mask mandates have been further expanded and now apply to all settings when a prescribed 6 feet of “social distancing” is not possible.
Additionally – and just in time for Christmas – the Governor’s orders will further limit the size of private gatherings in Virginians’ own homes, reducing the permitted number of guests from 25 to 10.
According to Northam, state agencies have been told to ramp up their enforcement of his executive orders. Those found in violation may be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor and face up to a year in jail.
As I previously reported for National File, just ahead of Thanksgiving, the Warren County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office issued a warning to residents hosting gatherings in their homes.
“Per Executive Order #67, enforcement is the responsibility of the Virginia Department of Health. This shall include public and private in-person gatherings of more than 25 individuals being prohibited. A gathering is ‘defined as but not limited to parties, celebrations, or other social events, whether they occur indoors or outdoors.’ Violations of section B paragraphs 1,2, and 3 of this Order shall be Class 1 misdemeanors…”
Opposite Warren County, a group of Lynchburg area counties have considered “no shut down resolutions,” with Campbell County declaring itself a “First Amendment Sanctuary.”
Under the Campbell County resolution, the Sheriff’s Office is not to enforce sections of Northam’s restrictions that violate citizens’ First Amendment rights, such as the right to free assembly, heavily curtailed by Northam’s orders again on Thursday.
