RICHMOND, VA: "A lesser-known Virginia law banning face masks in order to conceal someone’s identity returns next month, prompting Gov. Northam to clarify how it may be enforced with COVID-19 still present. Paused during the pandemic, the law was written with the intent to deter potential criminals from concealing their face and it is set to once again be effective when Virginia’s state of emergency ends June 30. 2021. The law is how a woman faced a felony charge after allegedly wearing a bandana during the January 2020 Second Amendment rally outside the state capitol, the charge was later dropped.

On the law’s return, Gov. Northam said, “I will communicate with our law enforcement. I think it will be quite clear that nobody will be arrested because of wearing masks, especially for medical reasons.” However, 8News Legal Analyst Russ Stone says a governor’s recommendation is not binding, like the law.

“That’s still giving a lot of discretion to law-enforcement officers and prosecutors. They could certainly charge it, and it could go through the process and the person might ultimately be acquitted. But, the fact of the matter is, that’s a big strain on a person’s life just to have to go through that process,” Stone said.

https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/lesser-known-virginia-mask-ban-returns-july-1-governor-northam-expects-residents-wont-face-charges/