by Don Richeson –
Virginians will be able to gather socially outdoors in groups of 25 starting March 1, up from the current limit of 10, Gov. Ralph Northam announced in a Wednesday, Feb. 24 news release. He also said some Virginia outdoor sports and entertainment events will be able to admit 1,000 people, up from the current limit of 250. And restaurants will be able to serve alcohol until midnight, an extension from the current 10 p.m. cut-off time.
Northam said the easing of restrictions was possible because COVID-19 hospitalizations and infection rates are declining as vaccinations rise.
However, some significant sobering COVID-19 milestones were hit this week, both nationally and in Middlesex County. The U.S. topped the 500,000 mark in total COVID-19 deaths and Middlesex topped 500 in the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
