NEWSLETTER
March 25, 2020 (updated)
Neighbors in the 42nd District,
As Governor Northam noted in his press conference today, we need to continue to be vigilant in practicing social distancing to help stem the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We seem to be at the beginning of this challenging time, and I thank you for all you are doing to help us address this pandemic and for continuing to reach out to family, friends, and neighbors to offer support.
Please find updates from Governor Northam, state agencies, Fairfax County, and community partners below. If I could be of
service, please do not hesitate to reach out me by calling my district office number at 703.828.7173 or emailing DelKTran@house.virginia.gov.
Best, Kathy
https://www.kathyfordelegate.com/coronavirus-resources
Governor Northam and State Agencies Updates
Health Care Access and Personal Protective Gear
To conserve medical bed space and personal protective gear, Governor Northam directed all hospitals and medical facilities to stop performing elective surgeries. Today's 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.
Governor Northam and administration officials are working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to identify sites in Virginia where temporary hospitals may be built, if the need arises. The Governor emphasized that we are not currently at capacity in our hospitals, but the state is planning ahead in case the situation in Virginia evolves.
Governor Northam called for volunteers to join the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The Virginia MRC is a force of dedicated volunteers who are able to support the community in the event of a public health emergency. Learn more here.
Social Distancing and Business Mandates
A gentle reminder that Executive Order 53, which I had summarized previously, goes into effect today, March 25 through April 23. This means that there is now a ban on public and private gatherings of 10 or more people. Also, the following requirements for Virginia businesses take effect. Note, violations of the ban on certain gatherings and business requirements are Class 1 misdemeanors and are enforceable by local governments and law enforcement. Executive Order 53 is here. Businesses with questions about these designations can contact my office or email the state team directly at business@virginia.gov.
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. Business that cannot adhere to this limit with proper social distancing requirements, it 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.
State Tax Policy
Secretary of Finance Aubrey Layne has indicated that, as of now, Virginia will not be extending the due date for the filing of individual and corporate income taxes to match the extension recently announced by the U.S. Depart of Treasury. The tax filing deadline for Virginia state taxes for Tax Year 2019 has moved from May 1 to June 1, 2020. Virginians may receive an extension of six months to file their taxes; however, penalties and interest do accrue on taxes owed starting from the filing deadline. More information is here.
State Education and Child Care
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 have released joint guidance regarding emergency child care for essential personnel. The guidance is here.
State Transportation
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has started including COVID-19 health and safety related messages on its changeable message signs to help amplify the ways that we can all help address the pandemic. You may see the messages if you are on the highway.
WMATA announced, effective March 26, that it will indefinitely close a total of 19 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.
Fairfax County Updates
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.
Community Partners
To learn about emergency food distribution sites in communities where schools are closed due to COVID-19, contact a hotline set up by No Kid Hungry by texting FOOD or COMIDA to 877-877.
For my previous updates about how Virginia is addressing COVID-19 and related resources, see https://www.kathyfordelegate.com/coronavirus-resources.