RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Some cities and counties in Virginia reopened on Friday, May 15, for outside recreation, shopping, patio dining and more. The reopening is phase one of Gov. Ralph Northam’s Forward Virginia plan to reopen the commonwealth’s businesses and public places while managing the coronavirus pandemic.

VIRGINIA REOPENS – Short Pump Town Center in Henrico County
Short Pump Town Center in Henrico County on Saturday, May 16, following Gov. Ralph Northam’s executive order allowing some non-essential businesses to reopen. (Photo: John Roberts, WRIC)
VIRGINIA REOPENS – Belle Isle in Richmond
Belle Isle in Richmond, Virginia, over the weekend following Gov. Ralph Northam’s executive order allowing some non-essential businesses to reopen. (Photo: Constance Jones, WRIC)
VIRGINIA REOPENS - Shady Grove YMCA in Glen Allen
Zumba Gold instructor, Stacey Zebrowski, center, leads a class at the Shady Grove YMCA Friday May 15, 2020, in Glen Allen, Virginia. Gov. Ralph Northam instituted a phase one reopening of certain portions of the state Friday. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
VIRGINIA REOPENS - Bristol Virginia
Bristol Virginia shut down one block of Piedmont Avenue Friday, May 15, 2020, to allow the Burger Bar and Quaker Steak & Lube to expand their outdoor seating and comply with the Phase 1 reopening in Virginia. (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP)
VIRGINIA REOPENS – Burger Bar in Bristol
In Bristol, Virginia, Burger Bar owner Joe Deel talks with patrons as they wait for their food on Friday, May 15, 2020. A tent with tables was set up on Piedmont Avenue to allowed the Burger Bar and Quaker Steak & Lube to expand their outdoor seating and comply with the Phase One reopening in Virginia. (David Crigger/Bristol Herald Courier via AP)
VIRGINIA REOPENS - Jack's Men's Fine Grooming & Valet Services in Roanoke
Amanda Black cuts Andrew Vehorn’s hair on Friday, May 15, 2020 as Jack’s Men’s Fine Grooming & Valet Services reopens. The barbershop, located inside Davidson’s Men’s Fine Clothing Store on Jefferson Street in downtown Roanoke, was busy on Friday, but, co-owner Jack Hans said it was “slow” compared to most days. Black said she’d cut seven clients’ hair but can do up to 15 cuts per day. Vehorn, from Richmond, said he “misses the hot towels the most,” since the COVID-19 restrictions require masks. (Stephanie Klein-Davis/The Roanoke Times via AP)
VIRGINIA REOPENS - Garden City Greenway in Roanoke
The Garden City Greenway in Roanoke, Virginia, is opened despite the barricade that had not yet been removed early Friday, May 15, 2020, as the official reopening was at noon. (Stephanie Klein-Davis/The Roanoke Times via AP)
VIRGINIA REOPENS - The Village Grill in Roanoke
Lauren Koll, 33, a realtor, and Katie Lineback, 33, a teacher, are best friends. They walk each day and often attend Pub runs that start at The Village Grill in Roanoke, Virginia. They chose to have lunch at the Grill on Friday, May 15, and felt comfortable as the menu was posted on a wall, they put their identifications on the table to show the waiter and he didn’t touch them, the waiters were wearing masks and gloves. So, the precautions allowed them to dine out on the deck where only outdoor service is being provided. (Stephanie Klein-Davis/The Roanoke Times via AP)
VIRGINIA REOPENS - Paradise Jewelers inside Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News
Udaya Ranjit, wearing a face mask and face shield, tends to his kiosk Paradise Jewelers inside Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, Va., as it reopens to the public Friday morning, May 15, 2020. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam allowed some nonessential businesses to reopen Friday in most of the state. (Jonathon Gruenke/The Daily Press via AP)
VIRGINIA REOPENS - Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News
Guests in line to enter Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, Va., before it reopened to the public Friday morning, May 15, 2020. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is allowed some nonessential businesses to reopen Friday in most of the state. (Jonathon Gruenke/The Daily Press via AP)
VIRGINIA REOPENS - Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News
A shopper sits inside Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, Va., as it reopened to the public Friday morning, May 15, 2020. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is allowed some nonessential businesses to reopen Friday in most of the state. (Jonathon Gruenke/The Daily Press via AP)
VIRGINIA REOPENS - Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News
Shoppers wait in lines to enter stores inside Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, Va., before it reopened to the public Friday morning, May 15, 2020. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam allowed some nonessential businesses to reopen Friday in most of the state. (Jonathon Gruenke/The Daily Press via AP)