Governor Orders Masks at All Times in Public Buildings

Warns noncompliance could result in criminal charges, additional shutdowns

Elkins, W. Va., November 13, 2020: At today’s coronavirus briefing, Governor Jim Justice made mask-wearing mandatary “at all times” in businesses and other public buildings, ordered state public schools to offer remote instruction only Dec. 1-3, and postponed the start of the winter sports season. (His executive order is here.)

Observing that the state has recently set records for daily hospitalizations and use of ICU beds, Justice warned that people who refuse to wear masks and businesses who fail to require masks risk triggering another shutdown of non-essential businesses. He also said that people who fail to comply with his executive orders could be charged with obstruction of justice.

As of 10 a.m. this morning, the W. Va. DHHR coronavirus.wv.gov website reports 565 deaths from COVID-19 in the state since the start of the pandemic, including 11 deaths reported on Thursday alone. There are currently 8,531 active cases statewide.

In Randolph County, according to DHHR, conditions have been worsening rapidly during the last week. Over the last seven days, the county’s infection rate has increased from 14.94 to 24.39, or more than 60 percent, while the percentage of positive tests has increased from 4.44 to 5.47, an increase of almost 25 percent.

As of yesterday, the Randolph-Elkins Health Department is reporting 69 current active cases in Randolph County, including two hospitalized patients.

Two Randolph County residents have died of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

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