Covid-19 Updates
Last Updated July 9, 2020 at 11 a.m.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an evolving situation as we learn about the spread of infections and how best to prepare for and address this public health crisis. I hope the following information and resources are helpful to you - Thank you for all you are doing to support our community.
Keeping my constituents informed in real-time is a priority for me. Follow me on Twitter here and Facebook here. You can also sign up for my e-newsletter here.
PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCES
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the federal agency leading the national response to COVID-19. Stay up to date on the latest information from the CDC here.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is the state agency leading the Commonwealth’s response to the pandemic. VDH is working with the CDC, local public health departments, and others to protect our well-being. Find additional resources, and track the number of COVID-19 cases in Virginia here.
The Fairfax County Health Department has information about the County’s response to COVID-19 and pertinent resources. You can find that information here.
WE CAN ALL PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
Call your doctor: Call your healthcare provider if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are exhibiting symptoms described here.
Practice Social Distancing: Social distancing can help slow down the outbreak by reducing the chance of infection among high-risk populations. The CDC defines social distancing as it applies to COVID-19 as "remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible."
Use Good Personal Hygiene
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
VIRGINIA STATE GUIDANCE AND ACTIONS
General Announcements
July 3: Unemployment Insurance Benefits
The Virginia Employment Commission is now accepting applications for the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program (PEUC). PEUC, authorized by the federal CARES Act, provides up to an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits for those individuals that have exhausted their regular unemployment insurance benefits.
To apply for PEUC or other unemployment insurance benefits, please visit www.vec.virginia.gov/. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
May 22: Governor Northman’s Press Conference Updates
Starting Tuesday, May 26, Governor Northman’s press conferences to provide updates on the state’s response to COVID-19 is moving to Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2pm. You can view these updates at his Facebook page.
You can view a livestream Spanish translation of the Governor’s press conference on the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Facebook page.
April 15: Governor Northam is extending Executive Order (EO) 53 until May 8. Among the requirements of EO 53 are: mandated closure of certain businesses, identification of essential retail businesses, and requirements for businesses to adhere to social distancing and enhanced sanitization practices. It also bans gatherings of more than 10 people. EO 53 is summarized below and the announcement is here.
April 6: Governor Northam recommends Virginians follow the updated guidelines from the CDC regarding wearing cloth face masks when out in public to limit the spread of COVID-19. Law enforcement will not issue citations to Virginians who cover their faces with cloth face masks during this pandemic. Please note that our stay-at-home order is still in effect, and when we do go out for essential purposes, we need to follow social distancing guidelines. CDC recommendations are here.
April 3: Governor Northam announced Virginia has received a Major Disaster Declaration designation, which will provide additional federal public assistance for our response to COVID-19. See announcement is here.
March 30: Governor Northam issued Executive Order (EO) 55, which implements a stay-at-home order and other requirements to curb the spread of COVID-19. EO 55 takes effect March 30, through June 10 unless amended or rescinded. Violations will be are a Class 1 misdemeanor and are enforceable by local governments and law enforcement. EO 55 is described below and you can read it here.
March 25: Governor Northam called for volunteers to join the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The Virginia MRC is comprised of volunteers who are able to support the community in the event of a public health emergency. Learn more here.
March 24
Governor Northam and Virginia’s Incident Management team’s press conference will move to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 2pm, starting March 25. You can hear the Governor’s update on Virginia’s response to COVID-19 on the Governor’s Facebook page here.
Virginia has a new web site that with updates on the state’s response to COVID-19. You can view it here.
March 23: Governor Northam issued EO 53 which bans all gatherings of more than 10 people, closes all K-12 schools for the remainder of the academic school year, and mandates the closure of certain non-essential businesses. None of the
requirements of EO 53 shall prohibit the provision of health care or medical services, access to services for low-income Virginians, operations of the media, or operations of government. Violations are a class 1 misdemeanor and enforceable by local governments and law enforcement. More information on EO 53 is below, the complete announcement is here, and Frequently Asked Questions are here.March 12: Gov. Northam declared a state of emergency here in Virginia. His remarks are here.
Social Distancing
May 26: Face Covering Requirements
To limit the spread of COVID-19, Governor Northam has made the decision, effective May 29, to require all Virginians over the age of 10 to wear a face covering in the following circumstances:
Inside all brick and mortar retail establishments;
Inside all personal care and grooming establishments;
Inside places where people congregate;
Inside food and beverage establishments;
On public transportation;
When accessing state or local government services
The following are exceptions to this new statewide requirement:
While eating or drinking;
While exercising;
If you have trouble breathing or are unable to remove the mask without help;
If your health conditions prohibit wearing a face covering;
Children under the age of 10, though the Governor recommends children ages three to 10 wear one if possible
This week, the Governor will be issuing an Executive Order and Public Health Order to enforce these requirements, so we will have additional information soon.
April 15: EO 53, which bans gatherings of more than 10 people, has been extended until May 8. The announcement is here.
March 30
EO 55 implements a temporary stay at home order from March 30 - June 10. Violations are a class 1 misdemeanor enforceable by local governments and law enforcement. Virginians are ordered to remain in their residences except for the following essential purposes:
Obtaining food, beverages, goods, or services as permitted in EO 53 (You can read EO 53 here)
Seeking medical attention, essential social services, governmental services, assistance from law enforcement, or emergency services
Taking care of other individuals, animals, or visiting the home of a family member
Traveling required by court order or to facilitate child custody, visitation, or child care
Engaging in outdoor activity, including exercise, provided individuals comply with social distancing requirements
Traveling to and from one’s residence, place of worship, or work
Traveling to and from an educational institution
Volunteering with organizations that provide charitable or social services
Leaving one’s residence due to a reasonable fear for health or safety, at the direction of law enforcement, or at the direction of another government agency
EO 55 clarifies that the ban on public and private gatherings of more than 10 people under EO 53 applies to parties, celebrations, religious, other social events, whether they take place indoors or outside. Also, it clarifies that this ban does not apply to gatherings of family members living in the same residence.
March 23: Per EO 53, public and private gatherings of 10 or more people are banned from 11:59pm on March 24 until 11:59pm on April 23. A violation is considered a Class 1 Misdemeanor, and is enforceable by local governments and law enforcement.
March 17
Governor Northam recommended Virginians with chronic health conditions or aged 65 or older should self-quarantine.
The Governor urged Virginians to avoid non-essential gatherings of more than 10 people, per federal guidelines. This does not include locations such as airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, grocery stores, or pharmacies.
March 15: Governor Northam announced a temporary ban on all public events of more than 100 people. His remarks are here.
Healthcare Access and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
June 23: Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities
The Virginia Department of Health has published guidelines for licensed nursing homes, certified skilled nursing facilities, and certified nursing facilities to re-open. A summary is available below and the full report can be found here:
Must conduct baseline and ongoing testing of all facility staff and residents while they are in the first phase of re-opening.
A space within the facility must be designated for use of monitoring and caring for residents with COVID-19.
Social distancing must be implemented.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued recommendations that include facilities conducting a baseline testing survey. Facilities with outbreaks should test residents and staff weekly. The complete CMMS memo is available here.
Governor Northam will dedicate $246 million in federal CARES Act funding to support nursing homes and assisted living facilities with staff shortages, increase infection control measures, purchase personal protective equipment, and fulfill testing requirements.
As a change in policy, VDH will now release the names of long-term care facilities that have experienced a COVID-19 outbreak. This information is available here.
For information about these actions regarding nursing homes and long-term care facilities, see here.
May 28:
CVS COVID-19 Testing
CVS has announced that it will be offering self-swab COVID-19 tests across Virginia to individuals who meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Testing can be scheduled online and will be done through their drive-through services.
CVS locations in and near the 42nd District that will offer this service include:
CVS Pharmacy, 9009 Silverbrook Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22079
CVS Pharmacy, 6400 Landsdowne Center, Alexandria, VA 22315
CVS Pharmacy, 10090 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030
CVS Pharmacy, 3921 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22031
CVS Pharmacy, 7205 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003
CVS Pharmacy, 3401 Charles Street, Bailey's Crossroads, VA 22041
May 18:
The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that over 500,000 Virginians will lose their employer-sponsored healthcare as a result of COVID-19, of which more than 300,000 Virginians will be eligible for Virginia's Medicaid program and about 113,000 people will be eligible for a subsidized plan through the Affordable Care Act’s Healthcare Marketplace. You can check your eligibility for Medicaid and apply for the program here. You can apply for health insurance through the ACA Healthcare Marketplace here.
Also, the Virginia Association of Health Plans has a new resource page with information on what health insurance carriers in Virginia are doing to respond to COVID-19. You can see the page here.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions regarding applying for Medicaid or connecting to your health insurance plan.
May 16
You may have seen recent reports regarding the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) practice of including antibody tests as part of the state’s overall testing numbers. I am concerned about this practice as it may provide an inaccurate picture of the state’s COVID-19 testing capacity. We must have accurate, reliable, and transparent data, and as such I am glad that, moving forward, VDH will separately report antibody tests and diagnostic tests. You can find VDH’s press release regarding this decision here.
May 14
Healthcare Updates
Testing
Pharmacies and drug stores across our Virginia are helping increase our state’s testing capacity. Since this past Monday, Rite Aid has performed over 1,200 COVID-19 tests at two different sites. Governor Northam says he will be making additional announcements of other companies that are helping to increase testing in Virginia.
Contact Tracing
Virginia currently has 604 contact tracers. The goal now is to hire 1,300 contact tracers, which would be about 15 contact tracers for every 100,000 people. Research completed by Harvard University as part of its roadmap for ending the public health pandemic recommended having at least this ratio of contact tracers. If you or someone you know are interested in applying for these positions, please use the following website.
May 8
Governor Northam announced the following healthcare updates:
Poultry Processing Plants
The Department of Health continues to work with the CDC, poultry plants, and community leaders to ensure the safety of workers at these plants. This weekend, there will be 1,500 tests conducted in the Eastern Shore in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the plants in that community.
Healthcare Providers
With the resumption of non-emergency surgeries and dental procedures, the Department of Health is working with the Medical Society of Virginia to assess the personal protection equipment (PPE), sanitation, and COVID-19 testing needs of physicians across the state.
Contact Tracing
I had mentioned earlier the Department of Health is hiring 1,000 contact tracers, an essential workforce to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Currently, the state has onboarded 325 contact tracers. If you are interested in this job opportunity, let me know and we can connect you to VDH.
May 4
Contact Tracing
Virginia will hire 1,000 public health workers for contact tracing to help identify those individuals who have been in contact with someone who has a new positive COVID-19 test.
Testing
Virginia’s overall testing capacity continues to increase. The Governor announced that this past weekend, Virginia was able to conduct about 6,000 tests per day.
The Virginia Department of Health is working with the Virginia National Guard to expand the state’s “Point Prevalence Pilot” to test in one day all of the residents and staff for COVID-19 at a congregate setting. The pilot aims to reach as many long term care facilities, correctional facilities, local jails and state correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and other congregate settings as possible. Locations will be prioritized based on urgency and epidemiological risk.
April 29
The Governor’s Order of Public Health Emergency Two, which prohibits non-emergency surgeries and dental procedures, is set to expire at midnight April 30. Governor Northam announced he will not extend this order, which means that, starting May 1, hospitals and dental offices may resume elective/non-emergency procedures under interim safety guidelines. This decision was based on the preparation of hospitals and dental facilities to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and patients as well as current hospital capacity, testing abilities, and availability of personal protective equipment to address COVID-19.
April 28
Governor Northam signed Executive Order 60, which clarifies that liability protections available under Virginia law covers healthcare workers and first responders in cases of emergency, including the current public health pandemic. You can read the full text here.
April 27
The Governor has paused construction on alternative care sites in Fairfax County, City of Richmond, and Hampton Roads area. Current data shows Virginia has sufficient hospital bed capacity to address our expected needs during the pandemic; however the Governor may revisit this decision if new data shows the need for additional hospital beds.
Virginia has received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to help meet mental health and substance abuse needs throughout the state. This funding will go to Virginia’s Community Services Boards (CSBs), including the Fairfax-Falls Church CSB.
Virginia is receiving 800,000 gloves and 300,000 surgical masks as part of a $27 million contract to procure PPE. Virginia is expecting to also receive 14,000 test swabs and additional cloth masks for critical infrastructure workers from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency.
April 24: The Governor signed Executive Order (EO) 58, to make it continue making it easier for Medicaid recipients to access health care services during the pandemic. Below is a summary of the EO; the full text is here.
The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) will suspend pre-admission screenings. All new nursing facility admissions will be treated like exempted hospital discharges.
Copays for Virginians with health insurance plans through the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan (FAMIS) are now waived.
Certificates of medical necessity and any supporting verifiable documentation requirements in order to place durable medical equipment are now waived. Also, face-to-face meeting requirements, new physicians orders, and new medical necessity documentation are not required for replacement equipment.
So healthcare providers can receive immediate information on flexibilities authorized by DMAS, the requirement for 30 days advance public notice and comment period is waved in order for DMAS
April 17: In order to ensure we have the healthcare workforce we need to respond to COVID-19, Governor Northam has issued EO 57. You can find the full text here.
April 16:
Governor Northam is creating a task force to address concerns about Virginia’s capacity to test for COVID-19.
As I previously shared, Virginia initiated a $27 million contract to procure personal protective equipment (PPE). The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has received the first shipment from that purchase and will be distributing the PPE throughout the state, with a focus on areas in need.
April 13: Virginia Commonwealth University Health System has established a pilot program to safely decontaminate N95 masks using high-intensity ultraviolet light and will share this method with other health facilities. The announcement is here.
April 8
Governor Northam formed a task force to address the public health of residents and staff at nursing homes and long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor announced a statewide effort to recruit 30,000 more volunteers for the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps, which is made up of teams of health professionals and community members. The MRC is a vital partner in assisting our healthcare workers fight against COVID-19. Please consider joining - you can submit your application here.
The Virginia Department of Health will begin reporting race and ethnicity data on COVID-19 tests to see if there are racial disparities in COVID-19 cases in Virginia. Right now, private labs and other partners are not required to collect this data, and VDH is working with these partners to see how they can collect and report demographic data.
April 6: Virginia has executed a $27 million contract with a Virginia-based manufacturer to obtain PPE. That first shipment is expected to arrive next week. The Virginia Health Department is distributing PPE materials we received from the national stockpile and is also working with the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association to distribute one million reconditioned H1N1 masks.
April 3: Governor Northam has been working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to select alternative care sites to bolster our hospital bed capacity. Three sites have been selected: Dulles Expo Center, the Richmond Convention Center, and the Hampton Roads Convention Center. The administration’s goal is to have the facilities ready in about 6 weeks.
April 2: The Department of Medical Assistance Services now offer COVID-19 informational pages in English and Spanish on its CoverVirginia websites.
March 31
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is relaxing the enforcement of HIPAA regulations related to telemedicine. Healthcare providers can, in good faith, use any non-public facing audio or video remote communication to connect with patients. This is not limited to COVID-19 related care. The announcement is here.
The Virginia Department of Health updated its COVID-19 testing guidelines for Virginia’s public lab to include people who reside or work in congregate settings like homeless shelters, assisted living facilities, group homes, nursing homes and correctional facilities who meet specific criteria in the updated guidance. The priorities for Virginia’s public lab do not apply to private labs, although private labs are encouraged to follow them. The guidance is here.
March 28: The Governor’s office issued an emergency request for information regarding PPE on Friday. To offer donations of PPE or identify opportunities to purchase PPE here.
March 26: Virginia State Health Commissioner Oliver sent a letter to clinicians regarding the prescription of medicine that may be a potential treatment for COVID-19. That letter is here.
March 25: Governor Northam directed all hospitals to stop performing elective surgeries to conserve medical bed space and personal protective gear, This public health emergency order does not apply to any procedure if the delay would cause harm to a patient. The order also does not apply to outpatient visits in hospital-based clinics, family planning services, or emergency needs. The directive is here.
March 21
Governor Northam issued EO 52 to increase the availability of licensed beds in Virginia’s hospitals and nursing homes. The EO is here.
The Virginia Department of Health released expanded COVID-19 testing guidelines. VDH’s public lab will conduct tests for those individuals, including healthcare workers, first line responders, individuals near potential clusters, individuals who are hospitalized, and residents of nursing home or long-term care facilities, who meet the criteria as described here, (Note: VDH approval is not needed for testing conducted through private labs.)
March 19: Governor Northam announced the Department of Medicaid Assistance Services will increase access to health care for Virginia’s 1.5 million Medicaid recipients by making several modifications to its program during the pandemic. Information on these and other updates described below is here.
Education and Child Care
July 7: Updated State Guidance for School Re-Opening
The Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Health Commissioner, updated the state guidance to local school districts for re-opening schools for the upcoming academic year. You can find the updated state guidance here.
Please note, the changes in social distancing guidelines is based on information from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization.
The decision on how to re-open schools is made at the local school district level. The state guidance is provided updated health and safety information that can inform this process.
April 29:
Governor Northam announced that more than 200,00 Virginians impacted by COVID-19 with commercial Federal Family Education Loans (also known as Stafford Loans), Perkins loans, or privately held student loans are eligible for assistance through their borrowers. Relief options include:
A minimum of 90 days of forbearance
Waving late payment fees
Not being subject to negative credit reporting
Not being subject to debt collection lawsuits for 90 days
Enrolling in borrower assistance programs like income-based repayment options.
Please contact your student loan provider to learn more about the relief options available.
If you are having issues with your student loan provider or want to better understand the implications of these relief options, please contact the Virginia Student Loan Advocate Scott Kemp by emailing studentloan@schev.edu or calling (804) 786-2832.
April 15: Governor Northam is dedicating $70 million from Virginia’s funding from the federal CARES Act to support essential workers with children under the age of 12 and early childhood educators. The resources will be directed to: assist child care providers that are open and serving essential personnel; eliminate copayments until June for families receiving federal childcare subsidies; assist centers with federal subsidies that had to close; and cover certain costs of emergency back-up care for public schools. To apply for funding see www.childcareva.com. If you are an essential worker who is in need of childcare, please visit www.vachildcare.org or call 1-866-543-7852 for an updated list of childcare options in your area.
April 13
VDOE has released new guidance for teachers and schools regarding providing educational opportunities during distance learning and supporting the social and emotional needs of students during this pandemic. You can learn more here.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is expanding Virtual Virginia, the state’s existing online education platform, to allow all teachers in Virginia host virtual classes. Please follow guidance from Fairfax County School District and your child(ren)’s teachers about the specific online learning platform used by your school.
Four Virginia public media stations have launched VA TV Classroom.
March 31
The U.S. Department of Education approved Virginia’s application to cancel federally mandated standardized tests, also known as SOL tests, for the 2019-2020 school year. The Virginia Department of Education is still exploring options for cancelling the administration of state-required SOL tests during the reconvened session of the General Assembly in April. The announcement is here.
The Department of Social Services and the Department of Education updated joint guidance for child care. The guidance is here.
March 30: EO 55 requires Virginia institutions of higher education to cease all in-person classes and gatherings of more than 10 people. These institutions may continue to operate in order to facilitate remote learning, perform critical research, or perform essential functions.
March 25
The Department of Education released updated Frequently Asked Questions for parents to address Governor Northam’s directive that public and private K-12 schools are closed for the remainder of the year. The FAQs are here.
The Department of Social Services and the Department of Education released joint guidance regarding emergency child care for essential personnel. The guidance is here.
March 23: Governor Northam announced all public and private K-12 schools will now be closed for the remainder of the academic year. Note, this mandate does not apply to day are centers. The announcement is here.
March 20: The U.S. Dept of Education announced it will accept waivers from states with regard to federal testing requirements for students. The Virginia Department of Education shared it is preparing Virginia's waiver to seek testing and accreditation relief, and is considering actions necessary to provide relief to students on state mandated SOL tests, which go beyond those mandated by the federal government. VDOE’s announcement is here.
March 19: The Department of Social Services is modifying Virginia’s Child Care Subsidy program so that the needs of children participating in the programs, their families, and their providers are better supported at this time. More information is here.
March 18: Governor Northam directed day care centers to limit their classrooms to 10 people, including teachers. Day care centers are also recommended to practice staggered recess and feed children in their individual classrooms.
March 13: Governor Northam announced all schools to be closed for a minimum of two weeks. His announcement is here.
Transportation
July 7: Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
DMV Select Offices, which are operated by local governments and private businesses, continue to re-open across Virginia. Most DMV Select Offices are opened for appointment-only visits or have other social distancing requirements in place. As of today, the following offices are open in our region and accessible to our community:
Springfield: 6506 Loisdale Road, Suite 105, Springfield, VA 22150
Fairfax City: 10455 Armstrong Street, Room 224, Fairfax, VA 22030
Learn more about the services available at DMV Select Offices and to schedule an appointment here.
Please reach out to me if you have any trouble scheduling an appointment.
July 1: DMV Road Skills Test
Starting July 1, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will begin the process of safely resuming road skills testing for passenger vehicles. In order to accommodate social distancing protocols, DMV has adopted a new procedure for road skills testing.
DMV will be offering testing at selected sites located across the Commonwealth. For residents in the 42nd District, the DMV Woodbridge customer service center will begin performing skills tests on July 6th, and the skills test appointment calendar for that location is live on their website. You can make an appointment here.
June 23: Re-Opening of Metro Services
Metro announced that 15 rail stations, which were closed due to COVID-19, will reopen on June 28.
Metro will also be realigning bus services beginning Monday, June 29. Customers on the busiest routes can expect more frequent buses, less crowding, and more regular service. To accomplish this, Metro will temporarily suspend bus service on four routes with extremely low ridership.
For a complete list of Metro train stations that are reopening and bus realignments, please click here.
June 17:
The DMV is re-opening additional Select Partner Offices and Customer Service Centers near our community in the 42nd District.
You can complete vehicle transaction services at DMV Select Partner Offices. To confirm office hours and view any important messages before visiting a DMV select office, see here.
Today, June 17, the following DMV Select Office near us in the 42nd District will re-open:
The Springfield Select Office (6506 Loisdale Road, Suite 105, Springfield, VA 22150)
You can obtain specific services in-person by appointment only at DMV Customer Service Centers. For more information, see www.dmvNOW.com/appt.
On June 22, two additional DMV Customer Services Centers will re-open near the 42nd District:
Alexandria (2681 Mill Road, Alexandria, VA 22314)
Fairfax/Westfields (14950 Northridge Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151)
Support for Workers
May 28:
Driver’s licenses and identification cards expiring on or before July 31, 2020 have now been extended for 90 days, not to exceed August 31, 2020.
Credentials that expire between March 15 and May 31, must be renewed no later than 90 days beyond the expiration date.
Credentials expiring from June 1 to July 31 must be renewed no later than August 31, 2020.
Vehicle registrations that expire in March, April, and May are also extended for 90 days, while those expiring in June are extended for 60 days, and those expiring in July are extended for 30 days.
On June 1, the DMV customer service centers near the 42nd District will reopen, including the ones in Arlington, Franconia, and Tysons Corner. Constituents wishing to make an appointment for service at one of these offices can visit www.dmvNOW.com/appt.
May 16:
Starting, May 18, the County is requiring face coverings or masks to be used by passengers when traveling on Fairfax Connector buses. There will be a week-long grace period through May 25. Learn more here.
Starting May 18, Metro will require all passengers to wear face coverings when using the Metro system. Previously, face coverings were strongly suggested. This new policy is a recommendation from Metro’s Pandemic Task Force and was approved by General Manager Paul Wiedefeld on May 14. You can see the announcement here.
May 11:
The Governor announced that DMV offices across Virginia will remain closed for at least one more week. Virginians are encouraged to continue using online services to the extent possible. As a reminder, there is a 60 day extension for licenses and identification cards that expire between March 15 - May 15 and for car registrations that expired in March and April. You can find the announcement here.
Metro announced its preliminary plans to ramp up services while continuing to protect the health of workers and customers. Below is a summary of the plans and you can find the announcement here.
Metro will continue to ask customers to use their services only for essential trips. Those who use Metro services will be asked to wear face masks/coverings while using the Metro system.
Starting this fall, though subject to change, Metro will ramp up services and re-open Metro stations that were closed as part of their COVID-19 response. All Metrobus routes that were previously affected will continue to operate, though some with service limitations like reduced intervals between bus departures.
Once a treatment and/or vaccine is widely available, Metro will return to post-pandemic hours of service and will continue to ramp up service to meet the needs across the region.
After the pandemic, Metro will analyze their response to COVID-19 to assess how they can make the system safer and more resilient to future pandemics.
May 8: Starting on May 25, Metro will be shutting down nine stations on the Orange and Silver metro lines for improvement projects. This work will go on through the fall. During this time, free express and shuttle services will be available for essential workers. To see what stations are impacted, click here.
April 27: The Governor announced the Commonwealth Transportation Board has approved nearly $100 million in projects funded through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This will offset revenue losses that our local governments and transit agencies are experiencing.
April 3: WMATA announced, starting April 6, Metrorail service will end at 9pm and Metrobus service will end at 11pm. See announcement here:
April 1: The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has extended its closures from April 2 to April 23. Additionally, DMV is suspending weight operations until April 23. Online services continue to be available, and to the extent possible, everyone is encouraged to complete transactions online. The announcement is here.
March 26: US Department of Homeland Security announced that the enforcement date for REAL ID has been moved to October 1, 2021 from October 1, 2020. See the statement here.
March 25: WMATA announced, effective March 26, that Metro will indefinitely close a total of 19 train stations to conserve critical resources, like cleaning materials, and preserve the health and safety of its employees and the public. A list of the affected stations is here.
March 22: WMATA announced updated reduced schedule for Metro trains and buses for March 23 through March 27. WMATA continues to urge everyone to use the Metro system for essential travel only. The updates are here.
March 21: Starting at 5pm, WMATA will reduce the number of bus lines to their 20 most used routes through March 22. The announcement, including information about lines that will remain in service, is here.
March 20:
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will close all district offices, residencies, area headquarters, and the Richmond Central Office starting at 5pm on March 20 and will start a visitor-by-appointment process. VDOT-operated rest areas will remain open to the public. The announcement is here.
E-Z Pass has closed all walk-in customer service centers until April 1. Customers can still use www.expassva.com or call 877-762-7824 to complete transactions.
March 19: The Department of State Police will suspend enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Safety Inspections Program for 60 days.
March 17: The DMV announced all DMV Customer Service Centers will be closed March 18 until at least April 2. Online services will be available, and to the extent possible, everyone is encouraged to complete your transactions online. There is a 60 day extension for licenses and identification cards that expire March 15 - May 15 and for car registrations that expire in March and April. The update is here.
March 17: WMATA announced changes to their reduced train and bus schedules to help protect the health of customers and Metro employees. The changes are here.
March 16: Virginia Railway Express shared a reduced schedule for their Fredericksburg and Manassas lines starting March 17 until further notice. The updated schedule is here.
Housing and Utilities
July 3: Rent and Mortgage Relief
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has established a Rent and Mortgage Relief Program using $50 million from the federal CARES Act. This program will provide rent and mortgage assistance to those who have experienced financial hardships as a result of the pandemic. The program will target outreach to communities of color that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
The DHCD will administer the $50 million program through partnerships with nonprofit organizations and local governments who will distribute the funds on behalf of eligible households. Housing counseling and technical assistance will also be available to eligible families and individuals.
Below are requirements for eligibility:
Households must demonstrate an inability to make rent or mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Monthly rent or mortgage must be at or below 150 percent Fair Market Rent
Gross household income must be at or below 80 percent of area median income (AMI)
Priority will be given to households and individuals who have not received other federal and state eviction or foreclosure protections:
From June 29 to July 20, priority will be given to families whose current gross income is at or below 50 percent of their AMI
After July 20, families whose current gross income is at or below 80 percent of their AMI will be eligible
Top consideration will also be given to families who have an unlawful detainer action dated prior to June 8.
To see if you are eligible or to identify the local RMRP administering organization, visit dhcd.virginia.gov/eligibility or dial 2-1-1 from your phone.
As a reminder, can find housing information and resources in Virginia at stayhomevirginia.com.
June 17: Extension of Ban on Utility Service Cut-Offs
The State Corporation Commission (SCC) extended its moratorium on service disconnections for customers who are unable to pay utility bills as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This moratorium will be in effect until August 31, 2020.
Last week, I joined colleagues from the Virginia House of Delegates in requesting the SCC to extend this moratorium to help constituents in the 42nd District, and I am glad the SCC has decided to do so. You can see the full announcement here.
June 9: At the request of Governor Northam, Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Lemons approved a temporary statewide moratorium on all eviction proceedings until June 28. For more information and resources on tenant rights in Virginia, please visit stayhomevirginia.com.
May 18:
Virginia has created a resource page for people experiencing housing insecurity as a result of COVID-19. You can find the resource page here.
The Virginia Housing Development Authority has committed $12 million to support over 200 nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping Virginians with housing needs.
Additionally, legislation the General Assembly passed this year provides tenants with a 60-day deferral on an eviction if you demonstrate that you have lost wages as a result of the current public health pandemic. We also passed legislation to cap late fees at 10% of periodic rent or 10% of the remaining balance due, whichever is less. House Bills 340 and 1420 were approved with an emergency clause, which means they are effective immediately.
May 16: The Fairfax County General District Court (FCGDC) will begin a phased re-opening starting May 18, following guidelines set by the Supreme Court of Virginia. These include limiting the amount of people in the courthouse and prioritizing emergency matters as defined by the Supreme Court of Virginia. The FCGDC has also established a Transition team that includes judges, members of the Sheriff’s Department, Court Services, and the General District Court Clerk’s Office to work on additional details for how the re-opening will proceed.
April 29:
Verizon is extending it’s relief for customers and small businesses who are unable to pay their bills as a result of COVID-19 until June 30th. This relief includes having late fees waived and not having service terminated. Customers need to notify Verizon in order to be enrolled into this program. More information is here.
Comcast is extending its relief for customers until June 30th. This includes waiving late fees and not having services disconnected for customers who are unable to pay their bills, making Xfinity WiFi hotspots in businesses and outdoor locations free for everyone to use, giving customers unlimited data a month, and continuing to offer complimentary 60 day Internet Essentials program for new customers. The announcement is here.
April 27: The Supreme Court of Virginia has extended its Order of Judicial Emergency for all district and circuit courts until May 17. As I previously shared, this order suspends non-essential court proceedings, including evictions. The announcement is here.
April 13: The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has extended its ruling to suspend service disconnections for customers of SCC regulated utilities until June 14. This includes Dominion Energy and Washington Gas, and the announcement is here.
Note, this does not apply to Fairfax Water. If you need assistance with paying those bills, please contact Fairfax Water at (703) 698-5800.
April 3: Governor Northam announced an initial $2.5 million from the state’s General Funds to provide emergency shelter for homeless Virginians. The state is working with the private sector to identify potential hotel space for fellow Virginians. The announcement is here.
April 1: For assistance through the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA), email VHDAServicing@vhda.com or call 877-843-1123. VHDA is implementing several strategies to provide relief for Housing Choice Voucher holders as well as those that have financed multifamily loans and single-family mortgages through the agency.
March 30: EO 55 directs Virginia state agencies to continue working with all housing partners to protect the health, safety, and well-being of Virginians experiencing homelessness and to assist people in avoiding evictions or foreclosures.
March 28: The Supreme Court of Virginia extended the Order of Judicial Emergency for all district and circuit courts in Virginia from April 6 to April 26, suspending non-essential court proceedings, including evictions, until the end of this period. Information is here.
March 24: The Federal Finance Housing Authority (FFHA) directed Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to suspend foreclosures and evictions for at least 60 days. Also, FFHA announced that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae would provide payment forbearance to borrowers impacted by the coronavirus. You can find more information on the announcement here. Two web sites that may help you determine if you qualify for this support are: https://www.knowyouroptions.com and https://ww3.freddiemac.com/loanlookup/.
March 16:
The Supreme Court of Virginia’s judicial emergency declaration allows for a landlord to file an unlawful detainer against a tenant unable to pay rent, but the court will not hear the matter until the conclusion of the judicial emergency. The announcement is here.
The SCC ruled that SCC regulated utilities, which include Dominion Energy and Washington Gas, will suspend service disconnections for customers for the next 60 days. The ruling is here.
Verizon will waive late fees and keep customers connected to their services if they are negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Customers need to notify Verizon in order to be enrolled into this program. More information is here.
Cox Communications will waive late fees and keep customers connected as well as expand their low-cost services for students and families in need during the coronavirus pandemic. The update is here.
Support for Workers
June 17: Virginia Visual Artist Relief Program
The Governor and the Virginia Museum for Fine Arts announced a special program to support visual artists impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virginia Artist Relief Fellowship Program will award 40 visual artists each with a $5,000 grant. The application and eligibility requirements can be found at www.VMFA.museum.
June 11:
There are two new tools available to help workers. While these tools were in development before the pandemic began, their completion was accelerated to help meet workers’ needs. The tools were developed in collaboration with the Chief Workforce Development Advisor, the Commonwealth’s Chief Data Officer, and six state agencies.
The Virginia Career Works Referral Portal is a statewide platform designed to streamline intake processes across state agencies and connect individuals with training, certification, education, and employment services to help them find a job or advance a career path.
The new Virginia Career Works Dashboard is a data visualization tool that makes information about Virginia’s labor market and workforce system more accessible.
April 8:
As we re-open the economy, Governor Northam indicates his priority will be the health and safety of workers and consumers.
You can file a complaint with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry about workplace safety concerns here.
Everyone is strongly encouraged to follow the social distancing and face covering recommendations to help protect ourselves and workers.
April 17: The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) announced that the online portal for the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program will go live April 17. As I have previously shared, the VEC will contact individuals who previously applied for regular unemployment insurance and were denied but are now eligible for PUA.
April 8: The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) is standing up the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program made available through the federal CARES Act. Certain self-employed and contract workers may be eligible for assistance under PUA. If you have previously applied for regular unemployment insurance and were denied, then VEC will check to see if you qualify for PUA.
March 17: VEC will waive the one-week waiting period to ensure workers can receive unemployment insurance benefits as soon as possible. Additionally, the eligibility for unemployment benefits have been expanded, and workers who meet the following criteria will be considered for support:
Workers affected because their employer needs to temporarily slow or cease operations due to COVID-19.
Workers who have received a notice to self-quarantine by a medical or public health official and is not receiving paid sick or medical leave from their employer.
Workers who must stay home to care for an ill family member and are not receiving paid family medical leave from their employer.
For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions guide for workers that have been temporarily laid off or discharged during this public health crisis.
Economy, Employers and Businesses
June 17:
Status of Moving into Phase III
The Governor announced Virginia will remain in Phase II of re-opening the economy as he continues to assess COVID-19 data. Additional details about Phase III is expected to be available later this week.
As a reminder, Governor Northam has indicated that Virginia must meet the following COVID-19 metrics before he will further ease restrictions:
Downward trend of percentage of positive tests over 14 days
Downward trend of COVID-19 hospitalizations over 14 days
Increasing testing capacity
Increasing contact tracing capacity
Enough hospital beds and intensive care capacity
Increasing and sustainable supply of personal protective equipment
New Economic Development Program
The Governor announced $14.66 million in funding for the new Economic Resilience and Recovery Program (ERRP) to respond to the evolving economic challenges that Virginia faces due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ERRP was created through the restructuring of funding for the current Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) program. Each of the nine GO Virginia Regional Councils may apply for up to $1 million to support economic initiatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The full release is here.
Below is a summary of a project for the Northern Virginia region approved and funded by the ERRP:
$69,600 for the Back to Work Website and Information Program that will serve as a “one-stop shop” for businesses in the Northern Virginia region. This project is a partnership between the Back to Work Leadership Task Force, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and the Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance. The website will contain information regarding business continuity, recovery, worker training and retraining, and a webinar series focused on business solutions.
June 9:
Governor Northam has determined that Northern Virginia and the City of Richmond will enter Phase II of re-opening our regional economies this Friday, June 12th.
You can find detailed information about Phase II requirements in Executive Order 65/Order of Public Health Emergency 6, available here, as well as a list of requirements and recommended best practices for all business sectors here. Below is a summary of Phase II for your information:
Continues the recommendations of physical distancing and requirement of wearing face coverings in certain public settings.
Bans public and private gatherings of more than 50 people.
Requirements and recommended best practices for all business sectors that may continue or begin easing restrictions under Phase II include:
Establish policies and practices to maintain physical distancing between coworkers and customers
Provide clear signage for physical distancing in areas where individuals may congregate
Frequently disinfect high contact areas
Encourage telework
Limit in-person gatherings such as conferences
Incorporate enhanced workplace safety best practices, to the extent possible.
Individualized requirements and suggested best practices for the following sectors:
Restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, cideries, mobile units (food trucks), distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms.
Farmers markets.
Non-essential brick and mortar retail establishments.
Fitness and Exercise Facilities.
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
Indoor and outdoor recreational sports activities.
Personal care and personal grooming services.
Private campgrounds and overnight summer camps.
Entertainment and public amusement.
Religious services.
I strongly advise that you review EO 65/OPHE 6 and the Business Guidelines if you are returning to work so that you know about the safety precautions that employers should have in place. Similarly, please review these requirements if you patron these businesses so you are aware of what is expected to protect yours and workers’ health and safety.
May 26:
Governor Northam announced today that he plans on allowing Northern Virginia to begin Phase I of re-opening our region’s economy starting May 29. The Governor indicated he will provide more specific information about this decision on May 27.
Note: on May 25, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay joined chief local elected officials from Northern Virginia — including Arlington, Loudoun County, and Prince William Counties as well as the Cities of Alexandria and Fairfax, and the towns of Dumfries, Herndon, Middleburg, and Vienna — to let Governor Northam know our region has begun preparations to enter Phase I on May 29. Additionally, they requested Northern Virginia begin Phase II at the same time as the rest of Virginia, once a date is set, and that additional resources be provided to assist people with a mental health diagnosis, including veterans, who have faced additional challenges during the pandemic. You can find the letter here.
May 16
Secretary of Finance Aubrey Lane reports Virginia had about a 26% decrease, or $700 million, in revenues in April. Over the next few months, the Governor’s team will be assessing the data of the economic impact caused by COVID-19. This will allow them to update our revenue forecast, which the General Assembly will use to finalize our biennial budget for fiscal years 2021 and 2022.
May 14:
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved a $25 million grant program to provide immediate relief for small businesses and non-profits that have been impacted by COVID-19. You can learn more about the program here.
May 12:
Governor Northam issued Executive Order (EO) 62 and Order of Public Health Emergency (OPHE) 4, which extends current restrictions and business requirements in Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, until May 28. You can find the full text of EO 62 and OPHE 4 here.
These restrictions are ones that we have been under through EO 53, which banned gatherings of more than 10 people and required certain business closures and mandates, as well as EO 55, which is a temporary stay at home order.
Note: the Governor has the authority to amend EO 62 and OPHE 4 at any time, and violations of these Orders are considered class 1 misdemeanors and are enforceable by local laws enforcement.
As I shared on May 4, the Governor began planning for Virginia to begin “Phase I” of re-opening the state economy on May 15 based on the state meeting COVID-19 data metrics recommended by the CDC.
However, recognizing the varied needs of communities across the state, the Governor also indicated that local governments have the opportunity to re-open their economies on a slower timeline.
In my May 11 newsletter, I noted that Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay and the chief elected officials from Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Prince William County, and Loudoun County formally requested Governor Northam to delay the re-opening of Northern Virginia’s economy. You can read their request here.
The request was made by our local elected officials, with input and support from our health district directors, and was based on COVID-19 data for Northern Virginia. You can view data specific to Fairfax County on the County’s COVID-19 Case Data Dashboard here.
While the rest of Virginia has about a 10 percent positive test rate for COVID-19, the Northern Virginia region is at about 25 percent. Additionally, about 70 percent of new COVID-19 cases in Virginia come from Northern Virginia.
As you can see in the letter that our region’s chief health directors submitted to Governor Northam and Dr. Norman Oliver, Virginia’s State Health Commissioner, data regarding the Northern Virginia region shows we have not met three of the criteria set by the Governor for entering Phase I of re-opening. The three criteria are:
A 14 day decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Northern Virginia region
Increased contact tracing capacity
An increased and sustained supply of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Additionally, our region’s health district directors are unable to assess whether we meet the additional criteria set by the Governor, which are:
Downward trend of percent of positive tests in the region over 14 days
Increased testing capacity
Enough hospital beds and intensive care capacity for the Northern Virginia region
Based on the COVID-19 data for Northern Virginia as compared to the rest of Virginia, Governor Northam granted the request of Northern Virginia’s chief elected officials to delay easing of restrictions and re-opening of our regional economy.
May 8: Additional Details About Requirements for Businesses in Phase I
On Friday, May 8, Governor Northam signed Executive Order (EO) 61 and Order of Public Health Emergency (OPHE) Three, available here. Additionally, today, the Governor issued Guidelines for All Business Sectors, which is here.
The Governor reiterated that he expects these orders to be effective May 15, unless there are changes in COVID-19 data. Violations of these Orders, like previous ones, are Class 1 Misdemeanors and are enforceable by local law enforcement.
EO 61 and OPHE 3 continue to ban public and private gatherings of more than 10 people, including but not limited to, parties, celebrations, or other social events, whether they occur indoors or outdoors. (This restriction does not apply to individuals who are performing a function of their employment or family members living in the same residence.)
Additionally, EO 61, OPHE 3, and the Guidelines provide more information about recommended best practices for all businesses that re-open during Phase I. These practices are in regards to maintaining physical distancing between co-workers and between members of the public; enhanced cleaning and disinfection; and workplace safety practices.
EO 61, OPHE 3, and the Guidelines also include specific requirements and suggested best practices customized for the following sectors:
Restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms.
Farmers markets.
“Non-essential” brick and motor retail businesses.
Fitness and exercise facilities.
Personal care and personal grooming services.
Campgrounds at state parks and private locations.
Indoor shooting ranges.
I strongly suggest that you review EO 61, PHO 3, and the Guidelines if you are going to work under Phase I so that you know about the safety precautions that employers should have in place. Similarly, please review these requirements if you patron these businesses so that you know what is expected to ensure yours and workers’ health and safety.
Under Phase I, places of worship are able to conduct in-person services if they meet certain requirements. This includes:
Opening at 50 percent indoor capacity.
Requiring individuals, with the exclusion of family members, attending religious services to be at least six apart when seated and practice physical distancing at all times.
Not allowing items to be passed to or between attendees who are not family members.
Request to Delay Re-Opening of Northern Virginia Region
Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay joined the chief elected officials from other Northern Virginia localities - Arlington County, The City of Alexandria, Prince William County, and Loudoun County - to request Governor Northam re-open Northern Virginia’s economy only after our region meets the health criteria he has laid out for the entire state. You can find the statement from Fairfax County, as well as a copy of the letter sent to Governor Northam, here.
Northern Virginia, compared to other parts of the state, continues to see a heightened number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases and have a higher positive test rate, both key metrics that the CDC recommends considering when planning to re-open the economy. For example, Dr. Norman Oliver, the state health commissioner, noted there were 989 new COVID-19 cases throughout Virginia in the last reporting cycle, of which more than 700 were in Northern Virginia. Further, Northern Virginia’s positive test rate is about 25 percent compared to 10 percent in the rest of Virginia.
May 8:
Governor Northam announced additional guidelines for businesses once Virginia begins Phase I:
Non-essential retail stores, which are currently limited to a 10 person capacity, will be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity.
Restaurants and beverage services, which are currently limited to takeout and delivery, will be allowed to continue takeout and delivery services and to provide outdoor seating at 50 percent capacity.
Gyms and fitness centers, which are currently closed, will remain closed. Limited outdoor fitness will be allowed.
Beaches, currently open for exercise and fishing only, will remain open for exercise and fishing only.
Places of worship, which are currently only allowed to operate for drive-in services or with a 10 person capacity, will be allowed to open at 50 percent indoor capacity.
Personal grooming businesses, which are currently closed, will be allowed to open for appointment only with strict social distancing and face masks requirements.
Private campgrounds, which are currently closed, will be allowed to open with strict restrictions on distance between campsites.
State parks, which are currently open for day use only, will have a phased opening for overnight camping.
Childcare will continue to be open with a prioritization of children with families who are currently working.
Overnight summer camps will remain closed.
A couple of important things to note:
If COVID-19 data changes, the Governor may revisit the timeline to begin Phase I.
These are the state guidelines and requirements for Phase I. Local governments have the authority to continue with some/all restrictions in place and move on a slower timeline to re-open their economies - this means we may see differences throughout Virginia in how local communities approach re-opening their economies.
Businesses are not required to open, but if they do, they must adhere to these requirements.
Requirements in Phase I are enforceable by local law enforcement.
May 4:
The Governor announced he is extending to May 14 Executive Order (EO) 53, which prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people, mandates the closure of certain businesses, and requires social distancing and enhanced sanitization from those businesses that remain open.
The Governor made this decision based on available data regarding the spread of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in Virginia and will make a further decision about whether or not to continue to extend EO 53.
When EO 53 is lifted, the Governor will amend EO 55, which is a temporary stay at home order, to focus on “safer at home” recommendations. EO 53 is available here and EO 55 is here.
Governor Northam outlined re-opening Virginia’s economy in 3 phases, with a focus on ensuring the safety of workers and customers. More information below and here.
Phase I - Currently, the Governor expects Virginia to begin Phase I on May 15, unless COVID-19 data indicates otherwise, and that we would be in this phase for up to 3 weeks. In this phase:
Some businesses will be allowed to re-open with strict safety restrictions.
Continued:
Social distancing.
Teleworking recommendations.
Recommendation to wear face coverings in public.
Phase II - To move to this phase, data needs to show that Virginia is continuing on a downward trajectory of positive COVID-19 tests and hospitalizations. In addition, we need to maintain a statewide stable capacity of hospital beds, personal protective equipment (PPE), testing, and contact tracing. Phase II would include:
“Stay-at-home” recommendations for vulnerable populations.
No social gatherings of more than 50 individuals.
Continued:
Social distancing.
Teleworking.
Recommendations for face covering in public.
Further easing of business limitations.
Phase III - To enter this phase, Governor Northam indicates data must demonstrate there is no evidence of a COVID-19 rebound for a sustained period of time. Phase III would include:
Recommending “safer at home” for vulnerable populations.
Removing the ban on social gatherings.
Removing capacity limits on establishments.
Continuing heightened cleaning and disinfection protocols.
April 27
Governor Northam shared his criteria and plans for re-opening Virginia’s economy. He is basing his decisions on CDC guidelines and data regarding the spread of COVID-19 in Virginia.
In order to move to “Phase One,” Governor Northam said the following criteria must be met:
Downward trend of positive tests over 14 days
Downward trend of hospitalizations over 14 days.
Increased capacity in testing and contact tracing.
Sufficient hospital bed and intensive care capacity.
Increased and sustainable supply of personal protective equipment.
Once those requirements are met, Phase One for reopening Virginia will include:
Some businesses will be allowed to re-open with strict safety restrictions.
Continued social distancing.
Continued teleworking.
Continued recommendation to wear face coverings when out in public.
I had mentioned earlier the Governor is creating a taskforce to provide input to the plans for re-opening the economy. The group will be focused on developing consistent and clear guidelines for businesses and patrons (customers) generally as well as specifically for the following sectors; more information is available here.
Brick and motor retail
Personal care and grooming
Fitness and exercise
Entertainment and amusement
The Go Virginia Economic Grant Program will be awarding $14.6 million to support businesses impacted by COVID-19 and will create new initiatives focused on resiliency and recovery for impacted businesses.
April 16
The Governor has formed a workgroup to assess how best to reopen businesses and restart our economy. This team includes private sector representatives and it will take into account economic, COVID-19 and other related data to determine its recommendations.
The Governor will also be coordinating with the governors of our neighboring states and Mayor Bowser of Washington, DC on the region’s plans. The Governor’s goal is to ensure Virginians feel safe and comfortable returning to businesses when restrictions are eased.
April 15: EO 53 is extended until May 8. Among the requirements of EO 53 are: mandated closure of certain businesses, identification of essential retail businesses, and requirements for businesses to adhere to social distancing and enhanced sanitization practices. EO 53 is summarized below and the announcement is here.
April 8:
Governor Northam issued an executive directive requiring the Virginia Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) to allow establishments with licenses to sell mixed beverage drinks to be able to sell mixed beverages through takeout or delivery, effective April 9.
The Governor also directed Virginia ABC to defer annual fees for licenses and permits that would be up for renewal through June.
See the Executive Directive here.
April 1: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has established the Paycheck Protection Program to help eligible small businesses and non-profit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. If entities meet certain criteria, then these loans may be forgiven. This program will be available through June 30, 2020. Eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations can start applying on April 3, and applications are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. To learn more about how to apply, visit the SBA website here.
March 23: EO 53 includes the following mandates for businesses, effective 11:59pm on March 24 until 11:59pm on April 23. It is a Class 1 Misdemeanor to violate these requirements and is enforceable by local governments and law enforcement. The EO is here.
The following recreational and entertainment businesses must close to the public:
Theaters, performing arts centers, concert venues, museums, and other indoor entertainment centers.
Fitness centers, gymnasiums, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor exercise facilities.
Beauty salons, barber shops, spas, massage parlors, tanning salons, tattoo shops, and any other location where personal care or personal grooming services are performed that would not allow compliance with social distancing guidelines to
remain six feet apart.Racetracks and historic horse racing facilities.
Bowling alleys, skating rinks, arcades, amusement parks, trampoline parks, fairs, arts and craft facilities, aquariums, zoos, escape rooms, indoor shooting ranges, public and private social clubs, and all other places of indoor public amusement.
The following food service and alcohol businesses are now required to close in-person dining and congregation areas, but may continue to operate to offer delivery and take-out services:
Restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, tasting rooms, and farmers markets.
The following essential retail businesses may remain open during their normal business hours:
Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retailers that sell food and beverage products or pharmacy products, including dollar stores, and department stores with grocery or pharmacy operations.
Medical, laboratory, and vision supply retailers.
Electronic retailers that sell or service cell phones, computers, tablets, and other communications technology.
Automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers as well as automotive repair facilities.
Home improvement, hardware, building material, and building supply retailers.
Lawn and garden equipment retailers.
Beer, wine, and liquor stores.
Retail functions of gas stations and convenience stores.
Retail located within healthcare facilities.
Banks and other financial institutions with retail functions.
Pet stores and feed stores.
Printing and office supply stores.
Laundromats and dry cleaners.
All other brick and mortar retail business not listed as an “essential business” above may continue to operate but must limit all in-person shopping to no more than 10 patrons per establishment. Businesses that cannot adhere to this limit with proper social distancing requirements must close.
Businesses offering professional services are encouraged to provide as much telework as possible. If telework is not available, then all businesses must adhere to CDC social distancing and sanitation guidelines.
March 19: Virginia has been approved by the US Small Business Administration for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans Program. Impacted Virginia small businesses and nonprofit organizations can now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans of up to $2 million to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses. More information is here.
March 17:
All restaurants, fitness centers, and theaters are mandated to reduce their capacity to 10 patrons, or to close their location. It will be a Class 1 misdemeanor if this guidance is not followed. Restaurants are encouraged to continue carry-out and takeaway options. The updated announcement is here.
Governor Northam announced regional workforce teams will be activated to support employers that slow or cease operations. Also, Virginia will tap into Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act rapid response funding for eligible employers.
Tax Policy
April 22: The Virginia General Assembly passed an amendment to waive interest on taxes through June 1 if certain conditions are met. The Virginia Department of Taxation has issued Tax Bulletin 20-5 with information regarding having interest waived, which you can find here. (Please note, this communication does not constitute legal advice.)
March 31: As I previously shared, Secretary of Finance Aubrey Lane has noted that, unfortunately, Virginia will not be extending the due date for filing individual and corporate income taxes to match the federal government’s extension. Virginia’s fiscal year starts on July 1, which does not give us the same flexibility that the federal government has, whose fiscal year starts on October 1.
The Department of Tax has clarified the policy for filing taxes for Tax Year 2019. Below is a summary of the available payment extension and applicable interests and penalties (note, this is not legal or tax advice). To help you make the most informed decision that meets your personal financial situation, see the Department of Tax’s Tax Bulletin 20-4 here or the accompanying Fact Sheet here.
The tax filing deadline for Tax Year 2019 remains May 1 for individuals and April 15 for most corporations. However, the deadline to pay any taxes owed has moved from May 1 to June 1, 2020.
Penalties will be waived on final payments made by June 1, provided at least 90% of the tax is paid. Penalties will also be waived for estimated payments otherwise due in April or May that are paid in full by June 1.
If the required payment is not submitted by June 1, the penalty waiver will not apply and penalties will accrue from the original payment due date.
Interest begins to accrue on taxes owed after the original due date of the payment.
Taxpayers may still use Virginia’s automatic filing extension - no application is required.
Taxpayers that have an extension are still required to pay at least 90% of the final tax liability by June 1 or they will incur penalties.
Taxpayers that do not pay by June 1, but make a full payment with their return by the extended due date, then the 2% extension penalty applies instead of the higher 6% late payment penalty.
March 19: The Department of Taxation is extending the due date for individual and corporate income taxes owed to June 1, 2020. Interest will still accrue. *Note: the filing deadline of May 1, 2020 remains the same.* Further, businesses impacted by COVID-19 can defer payments on state sales taxes due on March 20 for 30 days.
Judicial System and Consumer Protections
May 8: The Supreme Court of Virginia announced it is extending its Judicial Emergency Order until June 7. In this updated order, courts will be allowed to begin non-emergency proceedings starting May 18 if measures are taken to limit the spread of COVID-19. The announcement is here.
April 27: The Supreme Court of Virginia has extended its Order of Judicial Emergency for all district and circuit courts until May 17. The announcement is here.
April 17: In order to protect people in congregate settings, Governor Northam continues to advise commonwealth attorneys and local public safety agencies to pursue alternatives to incarceration in certain circumstances.
(Updated) April 13: Governor Northam is proposing to give the Virginia Department of Corrections authority to release inmates who meet certain criteria in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our state correctional facilities. This proposal was approved when the General Assembly met on April 22nd.
March 31: During this state of emergency, businesses are prohibited from price gouging necessary goods and services like food, hand sanitizers, and medical services. If you notice potential price gouging happening, you can file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General Mark Herring by calling 800-552-9963 or emailing consumer@oag.state.va.us.
March 28: The Supreme Court of Virginia extended the Order of Judicial Emergency for all district and circuit courts in Virginia from April 6 to April 26, suspending non-essential court proceedings until the end of this period. Information is here.
March 24: The Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force has formed to identify, investigate, and prosecute fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is led by the Virginia State Police and includes federal partners. If you would like to report fraudulent activity, please contact the Virginia Fusion Center, which is actively monitoring alleged fraudulent activities, by emailing vfc@vfw.vsp.virginia.gov, visiting the FBI’s website at www.ic3.gov, or filing a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General through its website.
March 20: The Department of Corrections will provide inmates with two free phone calls per week from March 19 to April 15.
March 16
Department of Corrections suspended all in-person visitation to state correctional facilities and has suspended all transfers from local and regional jails for the next 30 days.
The Supreme Court of Virginia declared a judicial emergency and suspended non-essential state court proceedings from March 16 until April 6. The announcement is here.
Elections
April 29: Attorney General Mark Herring announced Virginia reached an agreement to help ensure safe absentee voting for the upcoming June 23 primaries. Under the terms of a proposed consent decree, Virginia will accept absentee ballots without the signature of a witness “for voters who believe they may not safely have a witness present while completing their ballot.” The order is proposed to the court and will not be final and effective until entered by the court. A copy of the brief in support of the agreement is here.
April 24
I shared previously that Governor Northam proposed to move Virginia’s May elections to November. That proposal required the approval of the General Assembly. While it passed the House of Delegates on April 22, it failed in the State Senate. As such, Governor Northam is using authority under current Virginia law to move the May 5 local elections to May 19. No one currently registered to vote in the 42nd District will be impacted by this order, as elections for local offices that overlap with our community took place in 2019.
Per the Governor’s directive earlier, the June 9 elections will be postponed two weeks until June 23.
April 8: Governor Northam announced updated proposals for the May and June elections.
For May elections, Governor Northam is recommending these elections be moved to November 3. This request must be approved by the Virginia General Assembly, which will reconvene on April 22.
For June elections, Governor Northam has the authority to move a primary election back by two weeks. As such, Governor Northam has announced the June 9th primary election will be moved to June 23rd.
April 2: For the upcoming May and June elections in Virginia, the Department of Elections is strongly encouraging individuals to request an absentee ballot using the reason #2A “My disability or illness” in order to receive a ballot that can be returned by mail. Check voter registration and obtain an absentee ballot here.
Other State Guidance and Announcements
June 4:
Child Care
The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) issued updated guidance to child care providers for Phase II of easing restrictions and re-opening our economy. As a reminder, Northern Virginia has not yet entered Phase II and Governor Northam has not indicated when he will authorize our region to do so. You can see VDSS’s updated guidance here.
May 16:
The Governor announced that, starting May 22, he is granting the City of Virginia Beach authority to open its beaches for recreational purposes. Social distancing guidelines must be followed and parking in garages and flat surfaces will be capped at 50 percent capacity. Additionally, the following are prohibited:
Group sports, such as volleyball;
Speakers;
Alcohol;
Tents and grouping of umbrellas; and
Fishing on sand beaches in the resort area
The City of Virginia Beach has the authority to enforce these rules.
April 6
Virginia has begun shipping 56,000 meals ready to eat (MRE), or about a 6 week supply, to food banks across Virginia.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth has published guidelines on electronic notary applications, which is here.
April 3: For guidance on religious observations, please see Frequently Asked Questions about Executive Order 55 here.
March 30
Governor Northam announced Virginia has been approved for federal funding, under Title 32 of the United States Code, to cover Virginia National Guard costs related to responding to COVID-19. Since the Governor declared a state of emergency, the Virginia National Guard has provided logistical support to our state agencies.
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services received a USDA waiver to allow seniors over 60 participating in the USDA Commodity Food Program to receive their monthly food without having to sign for the food they receive. Additionally, participants are able to receive 2 boxes every other month rather than one box monthly. This will minimize the number of distributions without limiting the amount of food.
EO 55 also mandates the following:
Effective April 1, 2020 at 11:59pm, short-term stays of less than 14 nights at all privately-owned campgrounds are prohibited.
The closure of all public beaches in Virginia to all activities except for exercising and fishing.
March 26: The Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation announced the closure of Virginia State Park campgrounds, cabins, and bath houses effective at checkout on March 27-April 30. Virginia State Parks will be available for day use only during this time. The announcement is here.
March 21: Attorney General Mark Herring opined that public bodies, including local governments, can meet electronically to address COVID-19 or ensure continuity of business, if they still allow public access to fulfill certain requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The opinion is here.
March 20: The Virginia Alcohol and Beverage Control is allowing distilleries to be able to produce hand sanitizer. The notice is here.
FAIRFAX COUNTY
Text FFXCOVID to 888777 to receive updates from Fairfax County about COVID-19.
The County has set up a hotline and dedicated email address for questions about COVID-19.
March 30: Updated hours: Call 703-267-3511 (9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends)
Email ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov (monitored 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays)
June 18: Resources for the Latinx Community
In response to the disproportionate effect of the pandemic on the Latinx community, Fairfax County, in collaboration with the county’s Health and Human Services system and the state, has expanded the following resources:
Community testing events in areas with particularly vulnerable populations, including the Latinx community.
A COVID-19 Language Portal with documents, videos, and audio files
translated into 10 languages, including Spanish. You can access the website here.
A multilingual call center that can assist in identifying emergency food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, employment, financial assistance, and COVID-19 testing. Please call 703-222-0880 for assistance and more information.
June 9: Fairfax County’s RISE grants for eligible small businesses and nonprofits are now accepting applications until June 15 at 11:59pm. You can learn more about the program’s eligibility requirements and submit an application here.
June 2:
Fairfax County Public Libraries
Yesterday, June 1, Fairfax County Public Libraries (FCPL) began curbside pickup, which will be available Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm at all FCPL branches. You can read more about this curbside pickup and book return process here.
Fairfax County Park Authority
On Friday, May 29, the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) has made additional updates:
Anyone visiting a FCPA golf course clubhouse or other indoor space must wear a mask;
The campgrounds at Burke Lake Park and Lake Fairfax Park are open;
Batting cages at Braddock Park in Clifton are open;
Non-permitted use of athletic fields have now resumed;
Permitted use of picnic shelters are now available
You can read the announcement here.
May 28:
Donating Fabric Masks
In order to increase the supply of PPE for vulnerable populations in our communities, the Fairfax County Health Department is accepting fabric mask donations to support our county’s nonprofit partners and the low-income clients they serve. You can view the announcement here.
May 18:
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has established a $5 million fund to help non-profit organizations whose primary work supports social safety net services. This program will be funded through federal CARES Act dollars. Applications are due May 22. Learn more here.
The County glass recycling resumed Monday, May 11. To see this announcement and locations of the glass containers, click here.
May 4
CARES Act Funding
Fairfax Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay announced that Fairfax County has received $200 million in funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relied, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This funding is primarily for costs related to the county’s COVID-19 response and will cover costs including, but not limited to: purchase of PPE for frontline workers, increase of staffing in the Fairfax County Health Department, and support for the county’s homeless population. More information is here.
Farmers Markets and Community Gardens
Fairfax County opened all community gardens on April 29. Gardeners have received notification and guidelines regarding through email.
Select Farmers Markets will begin to open starting on May 9. You can get information about which locations will be open and guidelines for shoppers here.
All other Fairfax County Park Authority amenities like visitors centers and restrooms remain closed.
April 27: Fairfax County has launched a new dashboard with data regarding COVID-19 in the Fairfax Health District. This data includes cases by locality, case rates by combined zip code, cases by age group, cases by racial and ethnic groups, and more. You can find the dashboard here.
April 13
Fairfax County has a new geospatial resource platform that has maps, interactive applications, and data about instances of COVID-19 in the County. The platform is here.
Fairfax County has launched a COVID-19 language portal with translated information in Fairfax County’s top seven non-English languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, Urdu, and Farsi. The portal is here.
March 31: Fairfax County made changes to private and public solid waste operations, which are in effect until further notice. Below are the changes and you can read the full announcement here.
March 30
The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services announced changes to the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex until further notice; the full announcement is here.
County Libraries - Starting March 31, all County libraries will offer exterior wireless internet access in the parking lots from 6am - 10pm, seven days a week.
March 26
Fairfax County has announced a number of closures related to County Park facilities to address COVID-19. Please see the accompanying Frequently Asked Questions for more information here.
Fairfax County Connector will be updating certain routes due to closures at the McLean and Van Dorn WMATA Metro train stations. More information is here.
March 25: Fairfax County Government buildings will be closed to the public starting at 5 p.m. on March 27. Online services remain available and County courts will remain open operating on a limited docket. The announcement is here.
March 24:
Effective March 24 at 11:59pm, all Fairfax County parks and amenities will be closed until further notice. For a list of types of amenities that are closed and for more information, see the announcement here.
Beginning March 24, all Fairfax County Connector passengers must enter and exit using the rear doors of buses. This requirement does not apply to those who need to use a wheelchair ramp. Additionally, all fare collection will be temporarily suspended. The announcement is here.
March 23: All Fairfax County playgrounds, skate parks, and restrooms will be closed until further notice. Portable restrooms will be
placed near all the restrooms. Additionally, Fairfax County health officials recommend not playing on any playground equipment in community and neighborhood playgrounds. The announcement is here.March 19: Fairfax County Public Health officials noted evidence of community transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus in parts of Northern Virginia. The announcement is here.
March 17: Fairfax County declared a local state of emergency, which will help county officials better access emergency disaster funds. Information is here.
March 15: Fairfax County announced that effective March 16, Fairfax County parks, libraries, and other community facilities will close for two weeks. Senior centers and adult day health care facilities operated by Fairfax County are also closed. The announcement is here.
FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
You can stay up to date on announcements by FCPS here.
July 7:
Extended Deadline for 2020-2021 School Year Enrollment Form
FCPS has extended the deadline for families to indicate which return-to-school option they are selecting for their child(ren) to July 15. FCPS families should have received information about these options from FCPS; you can complete the form via phone or online here.
Proposed Start Date for 2020-2021 School Year
Superintendent Brabrand announced he will propose that FCPS start the 2020-2021 academic school year on September 8, 2020. This proposal will be voted on by the Fairfax County School Board on July 9th.
June 23: Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand announced the two options available to students for Fall 2020. A synopsis is below, and you can find Superintendent Brabrand’s full update here.
The two options prioritize protecting the public health of students, teachers, and staff:
The first option is a full-time online instruction that will be provided four days a week.
The second option is at least two full days of instruction at school each week with independent study and work on the days students are not in the school building.
FCPS families will receive an enrollment form to complete and share their preferred option. FCPS is asking families to return this form by July 10.
June 17:
Food Security
While the academic school year has ended, Fairfax County Public Schools announced it will continue its meal distribution program through August 30. As a reminder, the following schools in the 42nd District are sites for the meal distribution program; you can find additional information regarding food resources from FCPS here:
Ft. Belvoir Upper ES, 5980 Meeres Rd, Ft. Belvoir
Irving MS, 8100 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield
South County HS, 8700 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton
FCPS Re-Opening Town Hall and Community Input
On June 18, the Fairfax County Public Schools Board will host a virtual public hearing to receive input regarding FCPS’ plans for Fall 2020. You can learn more about the virtual meeting here and submit your comments to returntoschool@fcps.edu.
May 16: Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has announced it will continue distance learning for the summer, though some summer programs have been cancelled. Additionally, the FCPS School Board has begun to plan for the 2020-2021 school year and will be seeking input from various stakeholders, including parents. You can see more information about FCPS’s updated summer plans and the preliminary report presented to the FCPS School Board regarding the 2020-2021 school year here.
May 14:
As I previously shared, the federal government approved Virginia’s application to provide Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits. The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will be providing P-EBT benefits to families who either have children receiving free and reduced meals or have students enrolled in schools that provide all students with free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision.
Fairfax County Public Schools has provided information to VDSS for those FCPS families currently receiving free and reduced meals so these families do not need to complete additional forms to receive the benefits.
Any family that is currently not eligible for free and reduced meals can apply by June 11 to receive P-EBT benefits. You can learn more about P-EBT here.
April 13: Tomorrow, April 14 is the first day of online learning for Fairfax County Public School students. You can find FCPS information and resources for online learning here.
March 26:
March 19: Superintendent Scott Brabrand will host a Facebook Live chat on March 20 at 3pm to answer questions regarding FCPS operations during the COVID-19 emergency. Please see: https://www.facebook.com/fcpsva.
Effective March 15, all FCPS school buildings will be closed until further notice and the laptop distribution that was previously scheduled has been postponed.