Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Caught Without A Mask At Virginia Beach

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam was reportedly caught without a face mask at Virginia Beach on Saturday as the Democrat weighs a statewide order requiring citizens to wear masks.

Northam was seen on the beach reviewing security at the beach without a face covering, local NBC reporter Henry Graff reported in a tweet Saturday. The governor’s office later explained in a statement to Graff why Northam was at the beach without protective gear.

“The Governor has repeatedly encouraged wearing face coverings inside or when social distancing is impossible,” the office said, according to Graff. “He was outside today and not expecting to be within six feet of anyone.” Graff reported in a follow-up tweet that a source inside the governor’s office told him that Northam’s mask policy is expected to apply only to inside businesses.

“He wanted to check beach enforcement and make sure they were following the rules, which they were largely,” the office also said, according to Graff. A Twitter account going by the name Kyle posted two photos of what appears to be an unmasked Northam standing within six-feet of maskless people on the beech.

https://twitter.com/KyleWayneTaylor/status/1264297423154876416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer

https://twitter.com/KyleWayneTaylor/status/1264302991307309062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer
Northam told reporters at his daily briefing Friday that a new mask ordinance is coming Tuesday. “Face coverings are an important part of the next steps. We’ll have more on that next week,” he said, adding that he is asking Virginians to obtain face masks for themselves and children over the weekend.

The Democratic governor said on May 21 that he does not have a “particular timeline” for reopening Northern Virginia after instituting stay at home orders in March. He delayed reopening on May 12 after state leaders expressed concerns that their communities should not yet reopen.

Northam said he is “following the data” as he prohibits Northern Virginia from reopening, according to the Washington Times.

More than 1,000 people have reportedly died in the state since the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States.

Northam’s office has not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.