Republican legislators representing Virginia Beach, including Sens. Bill DeSteph, Jen Kiggans, and Dels. Jason Miyares and Glenn Davis issued the following statement in regard to Governor Northam’s decision to keep beaches closed until June 5th:

“We are extremely disappointed that Governor Northam has decided to keep Virginia’s beaches closed through at least June 5. Last week, Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer presented the Governor’s office with a plan for safely bringing people back to our 28 miles of shoreline. Virginia Beach is well equipped to implement the increased cleanings, public awareness campaigns, and physical distance enforcement required to allow the beaches to open safely, if the Governor will allow them to do so.

“Surging unemployment and shuttered businesses are crippling our economy and causing serious hardships to our citizens. It is our hope that our Democratic colleagues will join us in asking the Governor to reverse course and allow Virginia Beach to reopen safely before Memorial Day.”