FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2021
The Commonwealth’s Attorneys of Albemarle County and Charlottesville have advised law enforcement that it is not a crime to wear masks in public to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 spread and exposure.
Joint statement from Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Hingeley and Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Joseph Platania
Governor Ralph Northam has announced that Virginia’s state of emergency due to COVID-19 will end on June 30, 2021. A state law making it unlawful to wear a mask in public with the intent to conceal one’s identity will go back into full effect on that day. The same law permits the wearing of masks to protect the safety of the wearer and other persons. The Commonwealth’s Attorneys of Albemarle County and Charlottesville have therefore advised our law enforcement partners that it is not a crime to wear masks in public to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 spread and exposure.
Those who wish to continue to wear masks in public to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 spread and exposure may do so without fear of prosecution in Albemarle and Charlottesville. Please be safe and respectful of your fellow citizens.
Media Contacts
James Hingeley
Commonwealth’s Attorney
Albemarle County
434-972-4072
jhingeley@albemarle.org
Joseph Platania
Commonwealth’s Attorney
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3176
platania@charlottesville.gov