Gov. Jim Justice joined State health leaders at the Capitol Complex in Charleston today for a virtual press briefing to once again update the public on the many measures being taken in the interest of protecting the public from the spread of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Gov. Justice issued an executive order today requiring out-of-state citizens to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the Mountain State and authorizing the West Virginia State Police to monitor the state roads and highways to enforce that order.
VIEW the Executive Order here.
“For those who are crossing our state lines conducting interstate commerce, or commuting for work or essential business, military duty or health and medical care reasons, we don’t want to impede you. This is aimed at people from Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Italy or China, and other places where COVID-19 has spread substantially. We have to do everything we can to protect our citizens and these folks have got to self-isolate if they are going to come here,” Justice said.
WV DEP issues guidance
Following last weeks US EPA guidance, the West Virginia DEP released the attached guidance to clarify any issues remaining among the regulated community. In a call with Scott Mandirola this afternoon, the WVMA was advised of the following:
- The WV DEP has contacted all labs and engineering firms used by permittees and have been advised that all are operating normally at this time.
- WV DEP inspectors continue with day-to-day inspections while observing social distancing and other safety measures.
- The WV DEP also plans continue with regular inspections of major source NPDES permittees.
- The agency is sensitive to compliance issues and payment of fees related to COVID-19 and is committed to working with individual companies on a case-by-case basis to determine the most appropriate path forward. Companies are advised to contact the division directors with details when seeking extensions.
