NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 12, 2020

Neighbors,

Governor Northam has put in place new, temporary COVID-19 mitigation measures that take effect on Monday, 12/14 at 12:01am. 

Across the country, we are seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Virginia too is experiencing a worrisome increase – As of December 12, in Virginia, there have been more than 278,000 COVID-19 cases, nearly 16,000 hospitalizations, and 4,409 deaths. We are now averaging more than 4,000 new cases per day compared to about 1,200 in May. Our statewide test positivity rate is more than 11 percent, and hospitalizations have increased by about 83 percent in the last four weeks. You can track Virginia’s COVID-19 data at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/. 

We have been dealing with this pandemic for almost nine months, and I hear every day from our neighbors who are concerned about their health and their economic circumstances. I know it has been a very challenging time, and many of us want to “return to normal.” But we must continue to persevere – Please wear masks, socially distance, and wash our hands often in order to defeat COVID-19.

As always, please let me know if I can be of assistance by calling my office at 804-698-1042 or by emailing me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov. 

Take care, Kathy

Delegate, 42nd District

UPDATED COVID-19 MITIGATION MEASURES

Governor Northam has signed Executive Order (EO) 72 and Order of Public Health Emergency (OPHE) Nine, which puts in place new, temporary measures to address the spread of COVID-19. I have summarized some of the changes below, and I encourage you to read the complete update at: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/executive-actions/EO-72-and-Order-of-Public-Health-Emergency-Nine-Common-Sense-Surge-Restrictions-Certain-Temporary-Restrictions-Due-to-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19).pdf: 

The mitigation measures in EO 72/OPHE 9 take effect on Monday, 12/14 at 12:01 am and will remain in place through January 31, 2021, unless rescinded or amended. 

Modified Stay At Home Order

Virginians are directed to stay at home between 12am and 5am. There are some exceptions to this requirement, such as seeking medical care; going to work, school, or place of worship; or obtaining food.

Business Restrictions

Businesses must adhere to updated requirements. Generally, all employees and patrons must wear face coverings. The Department of Health and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority are authorized to enforce these restrictions, and violations are considered a Class 1 misdemeanor. Other agencies with regulatory authority over these businesses, such as the Department of Labor and Industry, are also authorized to enforce these requirements. Below are highlights of the changes:

Restaurants, Dining Establishments, Food Courts, Breweries, Microbreweries, Distilleries, Wineries, and Tasting Rooms – No alcoholic beverages shall be sold or consumed on premises after 10pm, but they can still be sold via delivery or take-out. All dining and congregation areas must be closed between 12am and 5am, but delivery and take-out services may continue. All parties must be separated by at least six feet.

Farmers’ Markets – Employees and patrons must maintain at least six feet of social distancing. Farmers’ markets must promote frequent and thorough hand washing.

Fitness and Exercise Facilities – Patrons, members, and guests must remain at least 10 feet apart. Occupancy is limited to 75% of the occupancy load. In group exercise and fitness classes, instructors and participants must remain at least 10 feet apart, with limited exceptions, and class size is limited to 10 people or 75 percent of the occupancy load, whichever is less. Hot tubs, spas, and spray pools must be closed.

Personal Care and Personal Grooming Services – There must be at least six feet between workstations. Routine cleaning of frequently contacted surfaces must be conducted every 60 minutes of operation, and all personal care and grooming tools should be disinfected after each use.

Entertainment and Amusement Businesses – Total number of spectators cannot exceed 30 percent of the occupancy load or 250 persons, whichever is less. All private bookings are limited to 10 people. No alcoholic beverages may be sold or consumed on premise after 10pm, but they can be sold via delivery or take-out. Must conduct routine disinfection of high contact areas and promote frequent hand washing.

Other Brick and Mortar Retail Businesses – Employees and patrons must maintain at least six feet of social distancing. 

Recreational Sports

For indoor sports, spectators are limited to 25 people per field. For outdoor sports, spectators are limited to 2 guests per player. Total number of spectators cannot exceed 30% of the occupancy load for the venue. Race or marathons may have up to 250 participants with staggered starts. Coaches, officials, staff, and players must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. 

Limits on Social Gatherings

Public and private in-person gatherings can have no more than 10 people who do not live in the same residence. This includes, but is not limited to, parties or other social events. This does not include family members living in the same residence, places of employment (e.g., people performing work functions at an office), an educational setting, or religious services. Violations are considered a Class 1 misdemeanor and are enforceable by law enforcement officers.

Religious Services

Must maintain physical distancing. Must ensure that items used to distribute food or beverages are either disposable or washed/cleaned between uses by individuals who are not family members. Must post signage that a) no one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 is permitted to participate in the service, and b) provide public health reminders about physical distancing, gatherings, options for high-risk individuals, and staying home if sick. Social gatherings held in connection with a religious service is subject to the limits on social gatherings, as described above.

Essential Retail Businesses

The following essential retail businesses must provide face coverings to employees, follow social distancing, mask covering, and cleaning guidelines, and may continue to remain open during normal business hours:

Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retailers that sell food and beverage products or pharmacy products; 

Medical, laboratory, and vision supply retailers;

Electronic retailers that seel cell phones, computers, other communications technology;

Automotive parts retailers and automotive repair facilities;

Home improvement retailers

Lawn and garden equipment retailers;

Beer, wine, and liquor stores;

Retail functions of gas and convenience stores;

Retail located within healthcare facilities;

Banks;

Pet and feed stores;

Printing and office supply stores;

Laundromats and dry cleaners.

Mask Requirements

Virginians aged 5 and older are required to cover their mouth and nose with a face covering while indoors, except if you are inside your personal residence. The mask requirement also applies outdoors if you are unable to remain six feet apart from non-family members. All employees of businesses identified in this Executive Order are required to wear a face covering at their place of employment. There are some exemptions to this requirement, such as while eating, drinking, or exercising; if you have trouble breathing; or are unable to remove face covering without assistance.  Masks may be removed to participate in a religious ritual. The Department of Health has the authority to enforce this requirement.

COVID-19 VACCINE

The US Federal Drug Administration has issued an emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Pfizer/BioNTech. The Governor anticipates that Virginia will receive our first shipment of the vaccine within 48 hours and will be ready to rapidly distribute it. 

As a member of the House of Delegates Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions, I participated in a recent committee hearing during which we received an update from Dr. Lilian Peake, Virginia State Epidemiologist, about Virginia’s plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccines.

The Virginia Department of Health will have the lead for coordinating with the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and ensuring equitable distribution of approved COVID-19 vaccines. 

VDH expects to adopt the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice’s recommendations on priority groups to initially receive the vaccine. VDH will work through an established network of local health districts and health systems, as well as partner with national pharmacies, to distribute the vaccines. More information on Virginia’s plans is available at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covid-19-vaccine/. 

COVIDwise APP

I strongly encourage you to download COVIDwise, Virginia’s app that can help notify you of possible COVID-19 exposure. As I’ve mentioned, you can learn more about this app, it’s data privacy policies, and how to download it https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/covidwise/. 

Rebuild Virginia Economic Recovery Fund

Through the Rebuild Virginia Economic Recovery Fund, Virginia has awarded $100 million in grants to 2,500 Virginia businesses and nonprofits affected by the pandemic. Governor Northam established this program using federal CARES Act funding. About 91 percent of the funding was awarded to businesses with less than $2 million in annual revenue.