by Chris White, WND:

Wanted to ‘ make sure they were following the rules’

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam was reportedly caught without a face mask at Virginia Beach Saturday as the Democrat weighs a statewide order requiring citizens to wear masks.

Northam was seen on the beach reviewing security at the beach without a face covering, local outlet NBC12 reported Saturday. The governor’s office later explained in a statement that Northam was “not expecting to be within six feet of anyone.”

“The Governor has repeatedly encouraged wearing face coverings inside or when social distancing is impossible,” Northam’s office said. “He was outside today and not expecting to be within six feet of anyone.”

Northam’s office said the governor “wanted to check beach enforcement and make sure they were following the rules, which they were largely.”

Photos posted on Twitter appear to show an unmasked Northam standing within six feet of other maskless people on the beach.

JUST IN: Statement from @GovernorVA on not wearing a mask today while in Virginia Beach. “The Governor has repeatedly encouraged wearing face coverings inside or when social distancing is impossible. He was outside today and not expecting to be within six feet of anyone.” @NBC12

— Henry Graff (@HenryGraff) May 23, 2020

Northam told reporters at his daily briefing Friday that a new mask ordinance is coming Tuesday. “Face coverings are an important part of the next steps. We’ll have more on that next week,” he said, adding that he is asking Virginians to obtain face masks for themselves and children over the weekend.

The Democratic governor said on May 21 that he does not have a “particular timeline” for reopening northern Virginia after implementing stay at home orders in March. He delayed reopening on May 12 after some local leaders expressed concerns that their communities should not yet reopen.

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