According to the CDC, one of the most effective ways of slowing the spread of the virus causing COVID-19 is to require face masks in public settings. Federal guidance has been lacking in regards to workplace safety during the pandemic, and we still have existing outbreaks across the country and in Virginia. It is therefore the responsibility of the State to protect public and private sector workers (thereby protecting our economy) by requiring face masks in a workplace setting (allowing for reasonable accommodation). This will ensure that everyone from healthcare workers, to grocery store employees, to hair stylists, to bartenders, to bookstore workers, to home health aides (and so on) will be better protected from exposure of infected persons who are pre-symptomatic or asympotamic.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html

Thank you,

Stephanie Smith