NEW: Northam tightens COVID-19 restrictions statewide

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam knows residents are tired of virus precaution but spiking cases have forced the hand of health officials.

“But across Virginia, coronavirus cases are on the rise and we are seeing more and more people hospitalized with this virus…and more people are dying,” Northam said in a recorded message from Richmond.

Northam announced a number of new actions Friday that will go into effect at midnight Sunday to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 which has killed over 3,700 people.

Those include: limiting private and public gatherings to 25 people, all Virginians age 5 and older must wear a mask, and Northam has given the order to strengthen enforcement of mask-wearing in public places by charging those in violation with a class one misdemeanor.

“While our cases may not rising as rapidly as some states, I do not intend to wait until they are. We are acting now so that things do not get worse,” he said.

Other changes will include restaurants closing their doors by midnight and sales of alcohol must stop at 10 pm nightly.

(IMAGE: Commonwealth of Virginia / Office of the Governor)