CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice joined West Virginia health leaders and other officials today for his latest daily press briefing regarding the State’s COVID-19 response.
View the latest COVID-19 data at Coronavirus.wv.gov.
EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED THAT WILL OFFICIALLY ALLOW JUNE 8 REOPENINGS
On Friday, Gov. Justice announced that he has signed an executive order that will formally allow activities, currently scheduled to reopen in the Week 7 phase of the Governor’s reopening plan, to resume operations next week if they so choose.
Approved activity reopenings, with limitations, on Monday, June 8 include:
Low-contact outdoor youth sports
WVSSAC-sanctioned athletics and band summer training programs
Little league sports practices
All remaining adult sports facilities including indoor tennis courts, racquetball courts, outdoor basketball courts, and similar venues
Reopenings allowed on Wednesday, June 10, 2020:
Private campgrounds and State Park campgrounds, cabins, and lodges to out of state guests.
All guidance documents are available on governor.wv.gov.
“We are excited to see youth sports and athletic programs continue in West Virginia after everything was put on hold to protect our people,” said Gov. Justice. “As with any reopening, we want people to continue to think smart, practice good hygiene, and keep a safe social distance from others to stay as safe as possible.”
The order will go into effect on Monday, June 8, 2020, at 12:01 a.m.
CASINOS AND MOVIE THEATERS PERMITTED TO REOPEN
Also on Friday, Gov. Justice announced that casinos and movie theaters are officially permitted to reopen in West Virginia.
“Today marks the first day that these establishments are allowed to reopen,” Gov. Justice said. “We strongly urge that both the businesses and individuals take every necessary step to stay safe. This includes proper handwashing and staying a safe distance from one another.”
Both casinos and movie theaters must ensure that proper social distancing and hygiene practices are maintained.
Guidance is available on The Comeback page.
WEST VIRGINIA STRONG – THE COMEBACK | SAFER AT HOME ORDER
Week 6 of the Gov. Justice reopening plan – West Virginia Strong – The Comeback – is now underway and announcements regarding future reopenings have been made. The Governor’s Safer At Home order also remains in effect. Click on the links to read more:
WEST VIRGINIA STRONG SUMMER FOOD ASSISTANCE MAP
Gov. Jim Justice reminded West Virginians that, through a multi-agency effort between the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG), the West Virginia Department of Education, the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services, the West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WV VOAD) and the United Way, an interactive free-feeding location map is now available to all West Virginians.
“There is nothing more devastating than imagining a person going hungry as we all continue to battle the changes that come with COVID-19,” Gov. Justice said. “I encourage anyone in need to utilize this resource and know that West Virginians are always there to take care of one another in times of need.”
If food distribution locations aren’t available in some communities, individuals are encouraged to call 211 for further assistance.
FREE COMMUNITY TESTING REMINDER: HARRISON, MCDOWELL, AND OHIO COUNTIES
Gov. Justice offered a reminder on Friday that free community COVID-19 testing will be provided today, June 5, and Saturday, June 6, in Harrison, McDowell, and Ohio counties.
The effort is part of a plan to provide free optional testing to all residents in several counties that are experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 transmission. It targets residents who have struggled to be seen by a physician or do not have insurance to pay for testing. However, other residents, including those who are asymptomatic are welcome to be tested.
Testing is scheduled as follows:
Harrison County
Friday, June 5 & Saturday, June 6
Monticello Playground, 518 Monticello Avenue, Clarksburg, WV 26201
Ohio County
Friday, June 5 & Saturday, June 6
Laughlin Chapel, 129 ½ 18th Street, Wheeling, WV 26003
McDowell County
Friday, June 5
Tug River Health Clinic, 5883 Black Diamond Highway, Gary, WV 24836
Saturday, June 6
City Hall, 32509 Coal Heritage Road, Keystone, WV 24852
Click here to read more
MORE COMMUNITY TESTING: GRANT, GREENBRIER, HAMPSHIRE, HANCOCK, HARDY, LOGAN AND WOOD COUNTIES
The Governor also reminded West Virginians that the next round of community testing will be provided next weekend in Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Logan and Wood counties.
The testing will be offered at the following locations:
Grant County
Saturday June 13
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
EA Hawse Health Center, 64 Hospital Drive #5, Petersburg, WV 26847
Greenbrier County
Friday June 12 and Saturday June 13
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Dorie Miller Park, 2300 Rosewood Avenue, Co Route 32/1, Lewisburg, WV 24901
Hampshire County
Saturday June 13
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
EA Hawse Health Center, 22338 North Western Turnpike, Romney, WV 26757
Hancock County
Friday June 12 and Saturday June 13
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Weirton Event Center, 3322 East Street, Weirton, WV 26062
Hardy County (three locations)
Saturday June 13
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
EA Hawse Health Center, 17978 WV 55, Baker, WV 26801
EA Hawse Health Center, 8 Lee Street #127, Moorefield, WV 26836
EA Hawse Health Center, 106 Harold K. Michael Drive, Mathias, WV 26812
Logan County
Friday June 12 and Saturday June 13
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cora Volunteer Fire Department, 28 Aldridge Branch, Logan, WV 25601
Wood County
TBD
UPDATE ON CORRECTIONAL FACILITY TESTING
Gov. Justice also provided an update from the WV Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation on the Enhanced Testing initiative ordered by Gov. Justice last week.
The Division of Corrections tested 15 facilities in three days with nearly 3,300 inmates and juvenile residents, and more than 1,700 employees receiving tests.
CITY AND COUNTY GRANT APPLICATION REMINDER
The Governor once again offered a reminder that the State recently sent out the application for cities and counties throughout West Virginia to apply for funding through the federal CARES Act.
A new web portal is now available for city and county government officials to apply for this grant funding, at grants.wv.gov. Interested parties can also call the helpline: 1-833-94-GRANT.
WEST VIRGINIANS URGED TO PARTICIPATE IN CENSUS
Once more today, Gov. Justice asked all West Virginians to participate in the 2020 United States Census.
Every West Virginian who does not respond to the Census represents a loss of $20,000 in federal funds over the next 10 years for the state and its local communities. The funds can go toward things like healthcare, education, infrastructure, school lunch programs, and more.
Be counted in minutes: 2020census.gov.
DATA UPDATE
Gov. Justice provided another overview of statewide data on COVID-19, highlighting that West Virginia’s daily percentage of positive test results were at 0.80 percent, while the state’s cumulative percentage of positive test results dropped to 1.96 percent.
“We are happy to see our numbers consistently staying in the safe range we established when reopenings began,” Gov. Justice said. “Our goal is to get everyone well and keep seeing our positive test numbers decrease.”
West Virginia continues to excel in several metrics compared to its surrounding states and the national average. View the latest COVID-19 data at Coronavirus.wv.gov.
WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD UPDATE
During today’s press briefing, Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, provided an update on the Mountaineer Challenge Academy after regularly scheduled testing was postponed due to COVID-19. He announced that testing has since resumed and several cadets were able to graduate from the program.
“We have seen a lot of great work from our staff and faculty,” said Maj. Gen. James Hoyer.”Our cadets have doubled down and really committed to overcoming the challenges of this difficult time. I am proud of the accomplishments they have achieved.”
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.
