CHARLESTON Gov. Jim Justice Monday announced the removal of counties from the hotspot list, the opportunity for local governments to apply for grant funding and a list of additional businesses set to reopen over the next few weeks during his pandemic briefing on Monday.

As part of that announcement, the governor said gambling at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack and other state facilities could restart June 5.

Justice said Monongalia, Marion, Harrison, Jefferson and Berkeley counties would be removed from the executive orders that tightened social distancing restrictions in the state stay-at-home executive order.

Hotspot counties are required to limit groups to no more than five people and businesses and entities are required to have employees work from home as much as possible. Those counties will now be under the newer safer-at-home order, which allows for groups no larger than 25 and strongly encourages people to remain home whenever possible and wear masks.

The counties will continue to be monitored by state health officials using new criteria for designating certain counties as coronavirus hotspots. The new County Alert System will identify surges in COVID-19 transmission using a seven-day rolling average of non-facility-related coronavirus outbreaks in communities.

If positive tests reach an unidentified threshold, the Department of Health and Human Resource Bureau of Public Health would investigate and make a determination whether to put the county on high alert, resulting in additional resources and tighter restrictions on social distancing. The county would remain on high alert until a consistent decrease in community spread is seen.

Justice also announced city and county governments can now apply to the state for grants to cover coronavirus-related expenses. The funding is coming from part of the $1.25 billion the state received from the C.A.R.E.S. Act. Cities and counties can apply for grant funding at grants.wv.gov or call 1-833-94-GRANTS.

Also Monday, Justice announced additional businesses that can reopen over the next couple weeks.

Justice said malls can reopen on Thursday in week four of Justices West Virginia Strong reopening plan. State health officials have worked with malls to develop guidelines for malls to re-open safely. Those guidelines can be found at governor.wv.gov.

Other businesses re-opening Thursday include whitewater rafting and ziplining, indoor dining at 50-percent capacity, large specialty retailers, state park campgrounds for in-state residents only, outdoor recreational rentals, spectator-less outdoor motorsports, the Hatfield and McCoy trail system, and tanning businesses. Fitness centers, gyms, recreation centers, and sports training facilities can re-open today.

Starting May 26, cabins and lodges at state parks will reopen for in-state guests only. Other businesses reopening May 26 include indoor and outdoor bars at 50-percent capacity, museums, visitor centers, and zoos. Spas, massage businesses, and limited video lottery retailers can re-open Saturday, May 30. Casinos can re-open June 5. Additional guidance will be available at governor.wv.gov.

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Gov. Jim Justice: Wheeling Island Casino, Other Gambling Venues Can Re-Open in Early June - Wheeling Intelligencer