Gov. Ralph Northam (D), slammed on social media over the weekend after he was photographed maskless and mingling with visitors in Virginia Beach, acknowledged Sunday that he should have been carrying a face mask in case he ended up in a crowd.

Northam has encouraged Virginians to wear masks in public and indicated on Friday that he planned to issue a mandate for masks on Tuesday, although it is not clear whether that would apply to outdoor public spaces, such as parks or beaches.

Northam, a physician, has also urged social distancing, specifically to stay at least six feet apart from others in public.

In photos that appeared on Twitter and Facebook, Northam is standing elbow-to-elbow with a group of three people as they pose for a picture at the shore. In another, he is taking a selfie with a woman. In another, he appears to be on the crowded beach boardwalk.

Source: Washington Post