The pandemic is not over, but Virginiaâs state of emergency is. Gov. Ralph Northam declared the state of emergency on March 12, 2020. Over the last 15 months, Northamâs office approved statewide health and safety standards, waived laws pertaining to price gouging and mask wearing, activated emergency response teams and issued eviction protections for those impacted by the pandemic. All COVID-19 restrictions lifted last month, but the last of COVID-19 protections established by the proclamation expired at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. âAfter June 30 there will still be an active multi-agency task force working to coordinate resources and activities related to response and recovery,â Virginia Department of Emergency Management spokesperson Lauren Opett said in an email. âWe will continue to monitor the situation and remain prepared to stand the (Virginia Emergency Support Team) back up as the situation dictates.â