Gov. Justice Issues “Stay at Home” Order

Governor Justice has issued a “stay at home” order for West Virginians effective at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24.

The general, excerpted provisions are as follows (and the complete Order may be found here):

1. Stay at home or your place of residence.  All individuals within the State of West Virginia are under a general stay-at-home order and are directed to stay at home or their place of residence unless performing an essential activity. An activity is essential if the purpose of the activity is one of the following:
   1. Obtaining food, medicine, and other similar goods necessary for the individual or a family member of the individual;
   2. Obtaining non-elective medical care and treatment and other similar vital services for an individual or a family member of the individual;
   3. Going to and from an individual’s workplace if such workplace and/or work is included in the definition of Essential Businesses and Operations as outlined in Section 3;
   4. Going to and from the home of a family member;
   5. Going to and from the home of another individual who, under the terms of a parenting plan or similar agreement, is entitled to visitation with or the care of a child;
   6. Going to and from an individual’s place of worship; and
   7. Engaging in outdoor activity, provided that individuals at all times and as much as reasonably possible maintain social distancing of six feet from one another and abide by a 10-person limitation on gathering.

2. Non-essential businesses and operations must temporarily cease operations. (There are exceptions outlined in the complete Order.)
3. Essential businesses and operations shall continue to operate. (These are listed fully in the complete Order.)  The following industries, businesses, and/or workers employed in such industries and businesses are specifically included as Essential Businesses and Operations under this Order:
   a.  Healthcare, public health operations, and health insurance companies.
   b.  Grocery stores and pharmacies.
   c.  Food, beverage, and agriculture.
   d.  Essential governmental functions.
   e.  Human services organizations and childcare facilities and providers.
   f.  Essential infrastructure.
   g.  Coal mining and coal-fired electric generation facilities.
   h.  Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries.
   i.  Transportation and travel related businesses and gas stations.
   j.  Financial and insurance institutions.
   k.  Hardware and supply stores.
   l.  Critical trades.
   m.  Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services.
   n.  Religious entities.
   o.  Educational institutions.
   p.  Laundry services.
   q.  Supplies to work from home.
   r.  Supplies for Essential Businesses and Operations.
   s.  Home-based care and services.
   t.  Residential facilities and shelters.
   u.  Professional services.
   v.  Media and first amendment protected speech.
   w.  Hotels and motels.
   x.  Funeral services.
4. Prohibited activities. All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors.
5. Avoid social gatherings.
6. Intent of this Order. The intent of this Order is to ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible, while enabling essential services to continue, to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the greatest extent possible.
7. Enforcement.  This Order may be enforced by State and local law enforcement and by state and local regulatory and/or licensing bodies to the extent possible under West Virginia law.
8. Duration.  The provisions of this Order, and all previous executive orders relating to COVID-19, are effective until terminated by subsequent executive order.