Governor Northam’s press conference today continued to highlight the lack of answers related to testing in Virginia and the inconsistencies coming from the administration. Virginia has consistently ranked near the bottom of testing per capita and today’s update provided no clear picture on how Virginia will increase our testing capacity. Additionally, over the last few weeks, Governor Northam has stated that Virginia’s reopening will happen on a statewide basis, but now it appears Northern Virginia will be able to delay it’s reopening well beyond May 15.

“The contradictions and waffling are starting to wear Virginians thin,” said House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah). “First we needed temporary field hospitals, we lacked PPE, we couldn’t use a regional approach, and our testing shortage was caused by the federal government. In the last few days, we have learned we were never short on hospital beds, had adequate PPE, regionalism will be our approach, and the testing metrics change almost daily. Virginians deserve a clearer picture from the Northam administration.”

“We have called for a regional approach to reopening for weeks and it seems we are being held up due to northern Virginia,” said Delegate Terry Kilgore (R-Scott). “While Northern Virginia has it’s concerns with reopening, the ‘Rest of Virginia’ as the Governor and his chief of staff referred to us are willing and able to safely begin that process.”