Gov. Ralph Northam Monday afternoon gave clear direction to Virginians: "Stay home."
He praised most residents for doing the right thing by staying home the past few weeks, volunteering to help as much as they safely can, and following rules about large gatherings.
"But it is clear more people need to hear this basic message," Northam said. "This weekend some of our beaches and other recreational areas were literally packed. Everyone who is gathering in a crowd... is putting themselves and others at risk."
Everyone in Virginia must remain in their place of residence unless they need to go out for food, necessary supplies, medicine or essential work. Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited. Beaches and other recreation areas will be closed except for fishing and exercise — setting up your beach towel and reading in the sun is not allowed. This stay-at-home order is more lenient than a shelter-in-place order would be — a shelter-in-place order would mean even essential errands would not be allowed.
"I want to be clear: Do not go out unless you NEED to go out. This is very different than wanting to go out," Northam said.
Restaurants may be open for take-out or delivery, and nonessential brick-and-mortar retail can remain open as long as those retailers maintain adequate physical distancing. Golf courses may stay open and people can play, but clubhouses must close and social distancing measures apply.
No Tolerance for Violations
Northam said that police are not looking to put people in jail, but he does expect all Virginians to comply with this order. People who congregate in groups of more than 10 may be subject to a Class 1 misdemeanor. (In Virginia, that may come with a fine of up to $2,500 and up to 12 months in jail.)
Residents are reporting that both individuals and establishments are routinely violating Virginia state emergency orders that ban gatherings of 10 or more individuals, the closure of certain non-essential businesses or restaurant restrictions.
To report a business violating the order, call the Alexandria COVID-19 Information Line at 703-746-4988, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To report a violation involving individuals, or any violation on evenings or weekends, call the Alexandria Police Department at 703-746-4444.
See the full executive order here.
Emergency Medicine and Fire Response
The Alexandria Health Department on Sunday confirmed four more cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria, bringing the total to 32. In Fairfax County, there are 188. Arlington County has 84 cases.
Local health departments are continuing to contact people who may have been exposed to the coronavirus.
The numbers may still be underreported, as some people have reported to Alexandria Living Magazine that they know someone with or they themselves have symptoms and are unable to get tested. Testing is increasing through private providers and many more cases are expected.
Alexandria has not reported an increase in 911 calls, unlike the astronomical increases seen in New York City.
Still, Alexandria is making policy changes to help protect Alexandria Fire Department employees, including a pre-screening process for all emergency medical service (EMS) calls that include questions about whether anyone in the home or call location has been experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
If symptoms are present, AFD members are instructed to fully protect themselves and the number of service providers entering the home are limited. In addition, ambulances are fully decontaminated after transporting a person with COVID-19 symptoms.
Additionally, AFD members are now limited in where they can work — the dual-firehouse staffing model reduces the risk for exposure between personnel.
Go Fund Me
An increasing number of Alexandria businesses are joining the national trend of setting up Go Fund Me fundraising campaigns. The platform reports record usage for emergency funding by individuals and businesses who are feeling the economic effects of coronavirus.
Locally, GoFundMe campaigns based in Alexandria include one for Old Town Books, whose landlord reportedly is not providing rent relief for an event space, and one for employees of The Birchmere music hall, and one for dog walkers from Bow Wow Meow. Several restaurants have also set up funds for affected employees, small businesses have set up funds for rent and individuals have set up funds for their own bills. See all Alexandria-based GoFundMe campaigns here.
Transportation and Parking
At the request of residents, there are changes to enforcement of parking restrictions in Alexandria. Going forward, the City of Alexandria will suspend enforcement of time restrictions for the general public in residential parking permit zones, weekend time restrictions and meter fees on blocks with pay stations, time restrictions for street sweeping and the 72-hour rule for street parking.
According to a City statement, “These changes do not permit parking in any location otherwise prohibited, including “no parking” zones. All other time restrictions not listed above, such as 15-minute spaces or time limits in commercial corridors, will continue to be enforced. Parking enforcement officers will have the discretion to enforce suspended restrictions in exceptional circumstances where a significant traffic safety or community concern exists, or as necessary to ensure the safe and orderly movement of vehicles.”
