Most of Virginia Entered Phase Two of Northam’s Reopening Virginia Plan

Welcome to today’s edition of the Dogwood. We’ve got a roundup of Virginia news coming right up.

But First…

Yesterday, Gov. Ralph Northam announced that a confederate monument of Robert E. Lee will officially be removed. With new legislation passed that allows localities to remove confederate monuments, more Virginia cities are following suit. Here are the cities who’ve announced plans to take down confederate memorials. —  Dogwood

Five Things You Need to Know Today

1. Phase Two of Northam’s Plan Begins for Most of Virginia Today- Most of Virginia is entering Phase Two of Northam’s three-step reopening plan, several businesses, including gyms, reopening their doors. Restaurants are reopening indoor dining at 50 percent capacity. Entertainment venues, like zoos and museums, will be reopened. Swimming pools and recreational sports will also reopen with restrictions. — WAVY
   
   
2. Advocates Say Virginia’s Criminal Justice Reforms Aren’t Enough- In January, Gov. Ralph Northam rolled out an entire host of reforms including decriminalizing marijuana, raising the threshold for felony larceny and changing how the state uses parole. However, criminal justice reform advocates say it’s not nearly enough. We talked to the executive director of the ACLU of Virginia states about what else needs to change. — Dogwood
   
   
3. Virginia Coronavirus Cases Rise to Over 48,532- There are 48,532 new reported cases of coronavirus in Virginia, an increase of 676 since yesterday. According to the Virginia Department of Health, there are 5,008 people who have been hospitalized and 1,453 people who have died due to the virus. Also according to the VDH, 361,519 people have been tested for COVID-19 in the commonwealth.–  Dogwood
   
   
4. Richmond Mayor Wants Charges Dropped for Protesters Arrested for Curfew Violations- Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney wants charges dropped for the protesters arrested for curfew violations. The curfew, issued by Stoney on Sunday, lasted until Wednesday, June 3. Last week, protesters gathered across the state, seeking justice for George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer.–  NBC 12
   
   
5. Virginia Department of Health Advises Protesters to Take Precautions Against COVID-19- The Virginia Department of Health is urging those protesting against police brutality and racial injustices to take precautions against the spread of the coronavirus. “The nature of large protests means the virus may spread more easily there, especially if protesters are not wearing masks,” the VDH said in a statement released Friday. The department suggests wearing a mask, staying six feet apart in crowds and staying home if symptoms appear. — WHSV