COVID-19

We are here to help you navigate these difficult times.

Important Links & Resources

Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Worldwide Tracking

Virginia Department of Health Tracking

Commonwealth of Virginia Important Updates & Resources

Prince William County Updates & Resources

COVID-19 Vaccine Update:

What’s New This Week

Governor Northam has issued Fifth Amended Executive Order 72 as follows, effective April 21. These activities are still subject to updated guidance, including capacity limits and other safety requirements:

Seating is now permitted in bar areas of restaurants, provided at least 6 feet is maintained between parties and no standing congregation is permitted.
Outdoor races and marathons may place runners in staggered groups of up to 100 (up from 50).
School theatrical and musical performances may allow patrons up to 30% of the venue capacity, with a maximum of 500 patrons indoors and no specific limit outdoors.
Distancing requirements have been decreased from 10 feet to 6 feet for entertainment and public amusement venues, swimming pool seating, graduations, and recreational sporting events.
Personal care and personal grooming studios are no longer required to maintain appointment logs and contact information for customers.
Karaoke is no longer prohibited.
Splash pads, hot tubs, and saunas are no longer prohibited.
Brass instrument players may remove masks while playing, as could wind instrument players previously.

Governor Northam announced today that he will issue Sixth Amended Executive Order 72 as follows, effective May 15:

Capacity limits at entertainment venues will increase from 30% to 50%, with an increase in the maximum number of indoor patrons from 500 to 1,000 and no specific limit on the number of outdoor patrons.
Capacity limits at recreational sports venues will increase from 30% to 50%, with a maximum of 250 spectators per field for indoor events and 1,000 spectators per field for outdoor events.
The limit on social gatherings will increase from 50 to 100 indoors and from 100 to 250 outdoors.

Alcohol sales and restaurant dining will be permitted after midnight.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are still considering what guidance to give states and the public following the pause on administering the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine.

Virginia is now in Phase 2 of vaccination, with eligibility open to everyone age 16 or older. Anyone who pre-registered in Phase 1 has either been offered a vaccination appointment already or will be by April 30 if their contact information is accurate. Everyone should continue to visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA to get vaccinated.

With more than 5.5 million doses of vaccine administered so far in Virginia, more than half of all adults have received at least one dose and one in three adults are fully vaccinated. Virginia is administering vaccine doses as quickly as they are provided by the federal government.

Key Overview Points

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance on March 8 about what people can do when they are fully vaccinated (which occurs two weeks after their final vaccine dose), and guidance on April 2 about travel by people who are fully vaccinated. The guidance notes that because public health researchers are still learning how vaccines will affect the spread of COVID-19, even people who are fully vaccinated should keep taking precautions in public places like wearing masks, staying 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. Executive Order 72 maintains limits on social gatherings; the requirement to wear masks in public places; guidelines for businesses; and other provisions.

About a third of vaccine doses in Virginia are now being administered by retail pharmacy locations, which are open to anyone age 16 or older. Individuals interested in getting vaccinated at a local pharmacy may visit VaccineFinder.org to find eligible pharmacy locations, hours, phone numbers, and scheduling links where available.

A public information toolkit is available to assist local health districts, localities, and community partners with graphics, talking points, frequently asked questions, and other materials.

If you or someone you know is feeling depressed or suicidal, please call one of the following numbers:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255; Press 1

If you think you have been exposed

Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are exhibiting symptoms, call your healthcare provider for medical advice and to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
According to the CDC, the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath

Practice Social Distancing

Social distancing can help slow down the outbreak by reducing the chance of infection among high-risk populations.
The CDC defines social distancing as it applies to COVID-19 as "remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible."
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash

COVID-19 Testing Available in Northern Virginia

CVS Health has opened 39 new testing sites at drive-thru locations across the Commonwealth. Find a location near you by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2zXLtRk
You can find additional testing sites near you here.

Resources for Residents

Food Banks

For those facing food insecurity, please use this link to find a food bank near you: https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/va-ashburn
If you would like to make donations to a local food bank, please call first to maximize “social distancing” when making your donation.

Utilities

Verizon announced they will waive late fees and keep customers connected to their services if they are negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. You can find their announcement here.
Cox Communications will waive late fees and keep customers connected as well as expand their low-cost services for students and families in need during the coronavirus pandemic. You can find their update here.

Rental Rights

Virginia has launched the Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development using $50 million in federal CARES Act funds. Learn more here.
Visit StayHomeVirginia.com for more information and resources on tenant rights.
If you are facing an eviction the Virginia Poverty Law Center is asking you to reach out to their Eviction Legal Helpline: 1-833 NoEVICT. The Helpline provides free advice from an attorney to any tenant in the state facing eviction, regardless of the tenant's location or household income. You can find other COVID-19 related legal rights information on the Virginia Poverty Law Center website here.

Employment

The Virginia Employment Commission will waive the one-week waiting period to ensure workers can receive unemployment insurance benefits as soon as possible. Additionally, the eligibility for unemployment benefits has been expanded, and workers who meet the following criteria will be considered for support:
- Workers affected because their employer needs to temporarily slow or cease operations due to COVID-19.
- Workers who have been issued a notice to self-quarantine by a medical or public health official and is not receiving paid sick or medical leave from their employer.
- Workers who must stay home to care for an ill family member and are not receiving paid family medical leave from their employer.

For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions guide for workers that have been temporarily laid off or discharged during this public health crisis.

Resources for Small Businesses

Small Business Loans

As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 health pandemic, Loudoun Economic Development is providing support, programming and education to assist our business. Read more here: https://biz.loudoun.gov/COVID19/
The Rebuild VA Grant Fund is a program to help small businesses and non-profits whose normal operations were disrupted by COVID-19, including restaurants, brick and mortar retail, exercise and fitness facilities, personal care and personal grooming services, entertainment and public amusement establishments, and campgrounds. Expanded business sectors now eligible to apply, include small hotels and bed and breakfast lodging facilities along with the film industry companies supporting production in the Commonwealth. Businesses and non-profits that are approved for a Rebuild VA grant may receive up to 3 times their average monthly eligible expenses up to a maximum of $10,000. You can find more information here.

For any other information or to reach Suhas, email Suhas at delssubramanyam@house.virginia.gov

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