23 March 2020 – Governor closes schools for remainder of academic year, urges citizens to avoid non-essential travel outside the home

Type of Intervention: Executive Order
Sectors Involved: Education, Finance/Economy, Health, Private Sector, Social Services
Intervention Categories: Social and physical distancing measures; Adapting or closing schools; Adapting or closing offices, businesses, institutions, and operations; Gatherings, businesses, and services; Domestic travel
Level of Jurisdiction: Virginia
Lead People/Agency: Governor Ralph Northam, VDOE,

Overview: Governor Ralph Northam today issued a statewide order to protect the health and safety of Virginians and reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Executive Order Fifty-Three orders the closure of certain non-essential businesses, bans all gatherings of more than 10 people, and closes all K-12 schools for the remainder of the academic year. Governor Northam is also urging all Virginians to avoid non-essential travel outside the home, if and when possible.
Full details here: https://governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2020/march/headline-855292-en.html

Type of Justification: Advice of INTERNAL government advisory committee or group, Learning from other jurisdictions, Perception of an increased threat
Evidence/Justification: To enhance public safety and reduce the spread of COVID-19