The COVID Project
The record
- Jurisdiction
- Virginia State Health Commissioner (acting for the State Board of Health); State level; addressed to all public and private K-12 schools · Virginia
- Level
- State
- Authority
- Va. Code ss. 32.1-13, 32.1-20
- Issued
- 2021-08-12 Aug. 12, 2021
- Effective
- 2021-08-12
- End
- Remained in force through September 30, 2021 and beyond (rescinded in 2022 following Executive Order 2 (2022) and SB 739) (read as 2021-09-30)
- In force
- Aug. 12, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021
- Quarters
- 2021 Q3
2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3
- Limitation types
- Face-covering requirementSchools and child careWorkplace rules
- Addressees
- all public and private K-12 schools
- all individuals aged two and older when indoors at schools
- school employees, students and visitors
- Functions reached
- IN in-person instruction (universal indoor masking)
- EC before- and after-school programs on school premises
- AC indoor athletics and activities (exercise exception)
- EMP employee masking
- WF school workforce
- CB families; school vendors and contractors working indoors at schools
- Collection
- State education and higher-education authorities AGY-ST-EDUCATION-HIGHER-ED
Operative words
NOW THEREFORE, the State Health Commissioner, pursuant to ss. 32.1-13 and 32.1-20 of the Code of Virginia, hereby issues this Order finding that a public health emergency due to COVID-19 continues to exist, and requiring all individuals aged two and older to wear masks when indoors at public and private K-12 schools in order to inhibit spread of the virus, as recommended and described by the CDC. Exceptions to this Order include: A. Individuals eating, drinking, or sleeping; B. Individuals exercising or using exercise equipment; C. Any person who is playing a musical instrument... D. Any person who has trouble breathing... E. Any person who has a disability or meets at-risk criteria... F. When necessary to participate in a religious ritual; and G. Persons with health conditions or disabilities that prohibit wearing a mask.
Enforcement
Va. Code s. 32.1-27 (violation of a Board of Health order a Class 1 misdemeanor; injunctive relief); the Order's recital of the Commissioner's authority under ss. 32.1-13 and 32.1-20
Notes
A Q3 2021 instrument in force in every Virginia school on September 30, 2021; the VDH FAQ of Aug. 17, 2021 (Ex. VA-044) construes it; this exhibit supplies the primary text
Retrieval noteSigned order (three pages) read in full; capture of Aug. 12, 2021 from the Governor's site.