NEWSLETTER

APRIL 8, 2020

Neighbors in the 42nd District, 

Chag Pesach Sameach - Happy Passover to all who are celebrating. While we may not be together physically with family and friends as we are accustomed, we are grateful to be close virtually and in spirit. Next year together again!

Below are updates from Governor Northam, state agencies, and community partners regarding our response to COVID-19. 

As always, please let me know if you have any questions. 

Best, Kathy

https://www.kathyfordelegate.com/coronavirus-resources

Governor Northam and State Agency Updates

Health Updates

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Governor Northam announced that Virginia has so far distributed 1.5 million gloves and 430,000 N95 masks to hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities. While there is still a national shortage of PPE, the Governor and his team continue to work to obtain PPE for our healthcare and frontline workers. If you are aware of entities interested in donating or selling PPE to the state, please see the Emergency Request for Information page here.

Health Data

Governor Northam has directed the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to ensure data collected by VDH on COVID-19 tests include information on race. This will allow state officials to see if there are racial disparities in COVID-19 cases in our Commonwealth. 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. 

Support for Workers

The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) is working to respond to the urgent needs of Virginians who are applying for unemployment insurance. If you have not yet received your PIN, VEC notes you do not need a PIN to apply through the automated IVR by calling 800-897-5630.

VEC is standing up the new Pandemic Unemployment Insurance program made available through the federal CARES Act and expects those checks to be issued starting next week. Certain self-employed and contract workers may be eligible for assistance under PUI. If you have previously applied for regular unemployment insurance and were denied, then VEC will check to see if you qualify for PUI. 

Elections

Governor Northam announced his updated proposals for the May and June elections. Regarding local primary and special elections in May, 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. 

Under current law, 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. 

The Governor believes these proposals will ensure the protection of our public health while continuing to allow Virginians to participate in our democratic process. 

Virginia Alcohol and Beverage Control

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. This will go into effect midnight on Thursday, April 9. 

The Governor also directed Virginia ABC to defer annual fees for licenses and permits that would be up for renewal through June so that businesses impacted by COVID-19 are not charged for licenses they are not able to fully use. 

See the Executive Directive here.

Community Partners

Safeway

This week, Safeway will be implementing additional safety and sanitation measures to protect employees and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including: 

Changing its hours to 6am-10pm and opening Safeway pharmacies at 8am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Certain stores open 24 hours a day will be exempt. 

Implementing one-way traffic in the store 

Limiting occupancy levels during regular and special hours reserved for seniors and other vulnerable customers. As a reminder, special hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7am-9am. 

Posting signage about conducting self-screening before shopping or clocking in for work.

Assigning employees to positions dedicated to cleaning surfaces throughout the store to enhance sanitation. 

Acquiring reusable masks for all store, distribution, and manufacturing employees. 

For my previous updates about how Virginia is addressing COVID-19 and related resources, see https://www.kathyfordelegate.com/coronavirus-resources.