NEWSLETTER

MAY 12, 2020

Neighbors,

Below are updates from Governor Northam about delaying the timeline for easing restrictions and re-opening Northern Virginia’s economy to May 28. 

I understand this requirement to continue practicing social distancing and staying at home is challenging - many of our neighbors are experiencing financial difficulties, juggling telework and childcare responsibilities simultaneously, wanting to worship at in-person services, and missing the ability to get together with family and friends. 

I have also heard from constituents who welcome this decision as they are concerned about themselves or family members they care for who have underlying health conditions. Others have shared they are worried about their ability to protect their health upon returning to work or other public settings.

The decision made by the Governor is at the request of local elected officials in Northern Virginia and is based on COVID-19 data for our region. I hope this additional time will allow us to flatten the curve in our community and work towards re-opening when it is safe to do so. 

As always, please let me know if you have any questions by calling 804-698-1042 or emailing DelKTran@house.virginia.gov.

Best, Kathy

Updates from Governor Northam and Fairfax County

Timeline for Easing Restrictions and Re-Opening Northern Virginia’s Economy

  • Today, 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 last week, 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 yesterday’s 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.

Support for Residents 60 and Over

  • Fairfax County Health Department’s Neighbor to Neighbor program is available to help residents ages 60 and over with grocery shopping and pharmacy pick-up services. If you would like to make a request, please call 703-324-7948.

View my summary of the 2020 legislative session here.

View my e-newsletters here.

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