RICHMOND, Va, (AP) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is extending an executive order mandating that some nonessential businesses close for another week, until May 15. Northam announced at a news conference Monday that the state is seeing positive trends in data related to spread and treatment of the coronavirus pandemic , but he said more time is needed before restrictions can be eased. His executive order, which forces closed some businesses and severely restricts how others operate, was set to expire May 8. His order also bans gatherings of 10 or more in public or private. The governor, a Democrat, has come under increasing pressure from Republican lawmakers and others to reopen the state like some other Southern states have done.
