COVID-19 UPDATE: Gov. Justice issues Executive Order outlining process for hospitals to resume elective medical procedures

CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice has issued an Executive Order, outlining the process for hospitals across West Virginia to apply to resume elective medical procedures, provided that certain safety thresholds are met. The earliest hospitals will be able to restart elective medical procedures is Tuesday, April 28, 2020.

“One of the things we have to do to restart our state is to restart the elective medical procedures at our hospitals,” Gov. Justice said. “Hospitals will apply to DHHR for review. Then, from that point forward, we will decide ‘yes, you’re prepared’ or ‘no, you’re not.’”

Before elective medical procedures can resume, hospitals must have a plan in place to safely phase-in procedures based on clinical judgement, while following all CDC guidelines. They must also have adequate inventories of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a plan to respond if there is a surge of COVID-19 patients in the future.

The Governor’s order will give each hospital the discretion to determine the best time to restart elective medical procedures at their facility.

“We have to be satisfied that these hospitals are in a position to be able to protect our people,” Gov. Justice said. “That they have all the protective gear, they have all the supplies, they have everything. Then we will approve them restarting these elective medical procedures.”

CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice has issued an Executive Order, outlining the process for hospitals across West Virginia to apply to resume elective medical procedures, provided that certain safety thresholds are met. The earliest hospitals will be able to restart elective medical procedures is Tuesday, April 28, 2020.

“One of the things we have to do to restart our state is to restart the elective medical procedures at our hospitals,” Gov. Justice said. “Hospitals will apply to DHHR for review. Then, from that point forward, we will decide ‘yes, you’re prepared’ or ‘no, you’re not.’”

Before elective medical procedures can resume, hospitals must have a plan in place to safely phase-in procedures based on clinical judgement, while following all CDC guidelines. They must also have adequate inventories of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a plan to respond if there is a surge of COVID-19 patients in the future.

The Governor’s order will give each hospital the discretion to determine the best time to restart elective medical procedures at their facility.

“We have to be satisfied that these hospitals are in a position to be able to protect our people,” Gov. Justice said. “That they have all the protective gear, they have all the supplies, they have everything. Then we will approve them restarting these elective medical procedures.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Click here to view all Executive Orders and other actions taken by Gov. Justice to combat the spread of COVID-19 in West Virginia.

CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice has issued an Executive Order, outlining the process for hospitals across West Virginia to apply to resume elective medical procedures, provided that certain safety thresholds are met. The earliest hospitals will be able to restart elective medical procedures is Tuesday, April 28, 2020.

“One of the things we have to do to restart our state is to restart the elective medical procedures at our hospitals,” Gov. Justice said. “Hospitals will apply to DHHR for review. Then, from that point forward, we will decide ‘yes, you’re prepared’ or ‘no, you’re not.’”

Before elective medical procedures can resume, hospitals must have a plan in place to safely phase-in procedures based on clinical judgement, while following all CDC guidelines. They must also have adequate inventories of personal protective equipment (PPE) and a plan to respond if there is a surge of COVID-19 patients in the future.

The Governor’s order will give each hospital the discretion to determine the best time to restart elective medical procedures at their facility.

“We have to be satisfied that these hospitals are in a position to be able to protect our people,” Gov. Justice said. “That they have all the protective gear, they have all the supplies, they have everything. Then we will approve them restarting these elective medical procedures.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Click here to view all Executive Orders and other actions taken by Gov. Justice to combat the spread of COVID-19 in West Virginia.

For more information about COVID-19 prevention and more, call the State’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-887-4304 or visit Coronavirus.wv.gov.

Local Businesses

Recent Stories

Michael Wayne Sims

Michael Wayne Sims, 43, of Clarksburg, WV, died on April 17, 2026, at WVU Medicine United Hospital Center in Bridgeport. He loved family get-togethers, spending time with loved ones, and animals.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

Plan your week with the Upshur County Sports Calendar, featuring baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, and track & field from April 20–26. Get game times and matchups for Buckhannon-Upshur and West Virginia Wesleyan, plus conference and championship meets.

MEC announces 2026 football schedule

Mountain East Conference unveiled its 2026 football slate: an eight-game league schedule across nine NCAA dates, with each team playing four home and four away games plus up to three non-conference contests. League play begins Sept.