The Shadow
RICHMOND — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is asking all students and staff at K-12 schools to wear masks indoors whether they are vaccinated or not, based on recent U/.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.
School districts could face legal action if they do not adhere to the guidance, Northam said Thursday.
In a Thursday media briefing, Northam said he is not mandating masks via executive order, but pointed to legislation passed this year by the General Assembly that requires Virginia schools to have in-person learning five days a week and provide instruction in a manner that “adheres, to the maximum extent practicable, to any currently applicable mitigation strategies… to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 that have been provided by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
“I expect school divisions to follow it and if they choose not to follow it, they should have a frank discussion with their legal counsel,” Northam said.
This governor said the state guidance overrides decisions previously made at the local level.
Currently, COVID-19 vaccines are not available to children under 12. But Northam said he is optimistic that approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children will be forthcoming within a few weeks.
The other major announcement on Thursday was that state employees will also be required to be vaccinated and show proof by Sept. 1. Employees who choose not to get vaccinated will have to be tested weekly. The move impacts about 122,000 employees. Northam says the number of state employees vaccinated mirrors numbers at the state level, with about 73 percent with at least one dose.
“The only way to end this pandemic is to for everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19,” said Northam. “As head of state government, we have a responsibility to lead by example and ensure the safety of our employees and the people they serve. The three vaccines are safe, effective, free, and widely available, and I strongly urge every eligible Virginian to get their shot. The time for waiting is over.”
Last week, President Joe Biden announced a vaccination requirement for federal workers and Northam’s said his executive directive is consistent with the federal policy.
“Our valued state employees are dedicated to public service, and I am confident they want to do what is necessary to keep themselves, their co-workers, and the public safe,” said Secretary of Administration Grindly Johnson, who oversees the Department of Human Resource Management.
Northam said Virginians who have not been vaccinated are encouraged to go to vaccinate.virginia.gov or call (877) 829-4682 to find a nearby vaccination clinic.
“The arrival of the Delta variant, combined with the number of people who are not vaccinated, are driving our case count back up. The large majority of people who are getting infected now are not vaccinated,” Northam said.
“We can call vaccination a personal choice, but our choices are affecting other people,” he said.
