NEWSLETTER

JUNE 23, 2020

Neighbors,

My colleagues and I are preparing to go back to Richmond for a special legislative session in August. At this time, we know that we will finalize the fiscal years 2021-2022 biennial budget and also consider criminal justice reform legislation. 

Since the pandemic started, I have hosted 6 Tele-Town Halls, and I am in the process of organizing additional sessions to hear from you. My next Tele-Town Hall will focus on providing legislative updates and discuss Virginia’s response to COVID-19. It will be followed by a conversation with community leaders to discuss criminal justice reform. I look forward to providing more information soon, and I hope you will be able to join me for these important discussions. 

I appreciate everyone who has already reached out, whether via email or by participating in a Tele-Town Hall, to share your concerns for our community and priorities for the upcoming special legislative session.

Updates

Below are COVID-19 and other updates from Governor Northam, state agencies, Fairfax County Public Schools, and Metro. As always, please let me know if I can be of assistance by calling my office 804-698-1042 or emailing me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov.

Best, Kathy

Delegate, 42nd District 

Updates from Governor Northam and state agencies

Status of Moving into Phase III

  • The Governor announced Virginia will most likely enter Phase III of re-opening the economy on July 1. This decision, including whether Northern Virginia will also begin Phase III, is still subject to assessment of COVID-19 data. 

  • As a reminder, below is a summary of the guidelines for Phase III; the complete guidelines are available here.

  • Teleworking and physical distancing will continue to be encouraged. 

  • Face coverings will continue to be required in indoor public spaces. For more information, see EO 63.

  • Social gatherings will be able to include up to 250 people or up to 50% of the capacity of the event space, whichever is less.

  • All businesses will need to follow physical distancing guidelines, frequently clean and sanitize high contact surfaces, and keep enhanced workplace safety measures in place.

  • Non-essential retail stores will not have a capacity restriction, and they must assist customers in maintaining 6 feet of distance while shopping and waiting in lines. 

  • Restaurants and beverage services will not have a capacity restriction, and they must provide 6 feet of distancing between parties.

  • Farmers markets will be able to re-open, and they must provide 6 feet distancing between tables.

  • Gyms will be able to open at 75% capacity, and they must maintain 10 feet of distancing between patrons.

  • Indoor and outdoor swimming pools will be able to open at 75% capacity. Pools must maintain 10 feet of distancing between swimmers not in the same household. Free swim is allowed. Parents or guardians may support a participant during class, and instructors may have contact with swimmers when necessary. Hot tubs, spas, saunas, splash pads, spray pools, and interactive play features will be closed.

  • Indoor and outdoor recreational sports should maintain 10 feet of physical distance between all instructors, participants, and spectators, where practicable. The total number of attendees (including both participants and spectators) of recreational sports cannot exceed 50% of the capacity of the venue or 250 persons, whichever is less. For sports played on a field, attendees are limited to 250 persons per field.

  • Personal grooming businesses must stagger appointments. Work stations must have at least six feet of distancing, and patrons must maintain at least 6 feet of physical distancing in the waiting area.

  • Campgrounds cannot have gatherings of more than 250 people.

  • Overnight summer camps will remain closed. 

  • Entertainment venues will be able to open at 50% capacity but no more than 1,000 people. Venues must maintain 10 feet of distancing between performers, participants, and patrons who are not members of the same household. There should be 6 feet of distancing in outdoor lines between people who are not members of the same household.

  • Places of worship must seat individuals attending religious services at least six feet apart at all times and must practice physical distancing at all times. Family members may be seated together. 

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. 

  • Updates from Fairfax County Public Schools

Fall 2020 Update

  • Today, 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. 

Updates from Community Partners

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. 

View my summary of the 2020 legislative session here.

View my previous e-newsletters here.

View my new COVID-19 resource page to see a summary of state actions, guidance, and resources here.