RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Gov. Ralph Northam reminded Virginians to stay safe and stay conscious of the coronavirus outbreak during Memorial Day Weekend at his Friday afternoon briefing.

On Monday, the governor announced he would allow public beaches in Virginia Beach to reopen with restrictions in time for Memorial Day weekend.

However, Northam said people should still practice safe social distancing guidelines during the long weekend. He added people in areas that are not yet in Phase One are still under stay at home orders and should not travel for the holiday.

State officials also warned extra law enforcement would be on the roads making sure the speed limits will be enforced.

Northam said the Virginia War Memorial’s annual Memorial Day ceremony would be done virtually, and the state would be flying its flags at half-mast.

“I want to remind people of what Memorial Day means, and that is that many men and women who wore the cloth paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can have the freedoms we enjoy every day,” he said.

The governor announced a new tool from the Virginia Department of Health — COVIDCheck. He said COVIDCheck allows people to check their symptoms, find testing near them and get answers to

Northam also said there was no specific date for when Phase Two of reopening Virginia would begin, but it would be no sooner than two weeks after the start of Phase One. He said more information on this would be available next week.

WATCH: Friday’s full coronavirus briefing with Gov. Northam, state officials

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