Gathering, crowd size limits will be relaxed

Sports and entertainment venues will be allowed to expand capacity and social gathering sizes will increase starting May 15, Gov. Ralph Northam announced late last week.

More than half of adults in Virginia have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and all Virginians 16 and older are now eligible for vaccination.

• The maximum number of individuals permitted in a social gathering will increase to 100 people for indoor settings and 250 people for outdoor settings. Social gatherings are currently limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

• Indoor entertainment and public amusement venues will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity or 1,000 people, up from 30 percent capacity or 500 people. Outdoor venues will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity — up from 30 percent — with no specific cap on the number of attendees.

• The number of spectators allowed at indoor recreational sporting events will increase from 100 to 250 spectators or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less. Outdoor recreational sporting events will increase from 500 to 1,000 people or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less.

• Restaurants may return to selling alcohol after midnight, and dining room closures will no longer be required between midnight and 5 a.m.

Visit virginia.gov/coronavirus/forwardvirginia for more information.