West Virginia Strong – The Comeback

STATEWIDE | SOCIAL GATHERING LIMIT LIFTED
(April 19, 2021) The limit for all purely social gatherings has been lifted.

STATEWIDE | INDOOR FACE COVERING REQUIREMENT
(April 19, 2021) An additional exemption has been added to the Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement so that, if you are actively engaged in physical activity like indoor sports, you do not need to wear a face covering. (November 13, 2020​) All West Virginians age 9 and older are required to wear a face covering at all times inside all indoor public places. The requirement does not apply to anyone who has trouble breathing or anyone who is otherwise unable to remove their own face covering without assistance. It also does not apply to anyone inside a restaurant and actively consuming food or beverages, anyone is inside a closed room by themselves, or inside one’s residence. For children ages 2 years old through 8 years old, face coverings are not required. However, it is recommended that parents or guardians use their best judgment as to when to assist their children, ages 2 through 8, with wearing a face covering. Under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing, and anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face covering without assistance should not wear face coverings and are exempt from the face covering requirement. Face shields are an acceptable substitute for those with physical conditions that may cause them to be unable to properly wear a face covering.​ Additionally, all businesses and organizations that invite the public into their facilities must post adequate signage advising guests of the requirement and are also responsible for enforcing the requirement to ensure it is being followed.

STATEWIDE | ALL SCHOOLS TO RESUME IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION FULL-TIME
(March 24, 2021) All West Virginia private and public schools, including elementary, middle/junior high schools, and high schools, may be open for in-person instruction and/or extracurricular activities without regard to the designation of the school's county on the DHHR County Alert System, provided that such schools or school systems should coordinate with their local health departments to manage any limitations on in-person instruction that may be advised from time to time by such local health departments.

STATEWIDE | ALL FAIRS, FESTIVALS, AND SUMMER CAMPS PERMITTED TO RESUME MAY 1
(March 24, 2021) Effective on May 1, 2021, all fairs, festivals, and summer camps may resume operations, provided that all such events follow all applicable safety guidelines.

STATEWIDE | ALL INDOOR LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCES PERMITTED
(March 24, 2021) All types of live music performances are now permitted to resume, provided that such performances continue to follow all applicable safety guidelines.

STATEWIDE | RESTAURANT AND BAR CAPACITY LIMIT INCREASED
(March 5, 2021​) The capacity limit for all restaurants and bars has been increased to 100% of their seating capacity. This change applies only if social distancing can be maintained between groups that arrive and sit together. Bars may only increase capacity to the extent that they have physical seating for every patron. No standing room for people to congregate will be allowed. These businesses must still continue to follow all applicable safety guidelines, including, but not limited to, mandatory face coverings and social distancing.

STATEWIDE | SMALL BUSINESS, RETAIL STORE, AND GROCERY STORE CAPACITY LIMIT INCREASED
(March 5, 2021) All previous capacity limitations for small businesses, retail stores, and grocery stores have been lifted. These businesses must still continue to follow all applicable safety guidelines, including, but not limited to, mandatory face coverings and social distancing.

STATEWIDE | GYM, FITNESS CENTER, AND MUSEUM CAPACITY LIMIT INCREASED
(March 5, 2021) The capacity limit for all gyms, fitness centers, and museums has been increased to 100% of their normal capacity. These businesses must still continue to follow all applicable safety guidelines, including, but not limited to, mandatory face coverings and social distancing.

STATEWIDE | YOUTH TRAVEL SPORTS PERMITTED IN ALL NON-RED COUNTIES
(March 5, 2021) All youth travel sports are permitted to take place, except for games, practices, or any other types of competition within counties designated as “Red” in the DHHR’s County Alert System map. This restriction on Red counties does not apply to teams that play in defined, relatively small geographic areas, such as within a single county or a few counties in the state of West Virginia. Those participating in such youth travel sports must continue to follow all applicable safety guidelines.