Norfolk Naval Shipyard to require masks again as spread of COVID increases

PORTSMOUTH — A portion of staff at Norfolk Naval Shipyard will be required to wear masks indoors on federal facilities again starting Monday — for at least a week.

The mandate was issued Saturday after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rated Portsmouth as an area with high community transmission of COVID.

The shipyard said masks will be provided for those who need any.

Social distancing is also mandated, with exceptions if everyone is wearing a mask, according to a notice put out by the shipyard. Masks are allowed to be taken off in certain conditions, such as when a worker is alone in their workspace or in public areas if separated by a barrier like plexiglass or a cubicle wall.

Staff who work in facilities with high bay areas and good ventilation will not be required to be masked, and NNSY employees working off the main site in other cities will follow that locality’s masking requirements. Staff traveling to off-site locations will mask based on the decision of leadership at the destination work site.

Ian Munro, ian.munro@virginiamedia.com, 757-447-4097