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CHARLESTON,
WV – Gov. Jim Justice announced today that he has issued an
Executive Order removing Jackson, Kanawha, and Ohio counties from the
list of COVID-19 community clusters or “hotspots” in West Virginia.
Click here to view the Executive Order.
Four counties requested to remain on the hotspot list including Berkeley,
Harrison, Jefferson, and Monongalia counties.
West Virginia Coronavirus Czar Dr. Clay Marsh and State Health Officer
Dr. Cathy Slemp are continuing to work with the local health departments
in Cabell, Marion, Wayne, and Wood counties to determine whether or not
to remove them from the hotspot list. However, none of these counties
have been removed at this time.
The Order supports broad authority to the local health departments in the
eight remaining hotspot counties and also:
- Limits groups to a
maximum of 5 people.
- Directs ALL businesses to
require employees to work from home to the maximum extent possible.
- Directs the West Virginia
National Guard to provide logistical support and services to assist
county agencies.
- Directs West Virginia
State Police to assist with enforcement of local county orders.
Later this week, a new methodology will
be released that will give the state additional flexibility to develop
and implement more precise response plans that meet the needs of each
county specifically, if a new hotspot were to develop.
All 55 West Virginia counties are still subject to all statewide
restrictions, including the Governor’s new Safer At Home order,
which goes into effect tomorrow, Monday, May 4, at 12:01 a.m.
Gov. Justice has directed his medical experts to continue to work closely
with local health departments throughout West Virginia to ensure each
county has the tools they need to continue to respond to the COVID-19
pandemic. |