18.2-422 - Prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places; exceptions. - Virginia Statutes

§ 18.2-422. Prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places; exceptions.

It shall be unlawful for any person over sixteen years of age while wearingany mask, hood or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face ishidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, to be orappear in any public place, or upon any private property in this Commonwealthwithout first having obtained from the owner or tenant thereof consent to doso in writing. However, the provisions of this section shall not apply topersons (i) wearing traditional holiday costumes; (ii) engaged inprofessions, trades, employment or other activities and wearing protectivemasks which are deemed necessary for the physical safety of the wearer orother persons; (iii) engaged in any bona fide theatrical production ormasquerade ball; or (iv) wearing a mask, hood or other device for bona fidemedical reasons upon (a) the advice of a licensed physician or osteopath andcarrying on his person an affidavit from the physician or osteopathspecifying the medical necessity for wearing the device and the date on whichthe wearing of the device will no longer be necessary and providing a briefdescription of the device, or (b) the declaration of a disaster or state ofemergency by the Governor in response to a public health emergency where theemergency declaration expressly waives this section, defines the maskappropriate for the emergency, and provides for the duration of the waiver.The violation of any provisions of this section shall constitute a Class 6felony.

(Code 1950, §§ 18.1-364, 18.1-367; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1986, c.19; 2010, cc. 262, 420.)