Alexandria's Phase One of Reopening Plan Could be Brief

A letter from Northern Virginia leaders asks the governor to let the area enter the second phase with other areas.

May 26, 2020

8:04 a.m.

UPDATE 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 -- Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said he will make a final decision re: Northern Virginia's entry into the first phase of "Forward Virginia" on Wednesday. He also discussed a new mandate to wear masks indoors in public places. Read the story here.

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Northern Virginia could move very quickly through the first phase of the governor's reopening plan and enter phase two with the rest of Virginia.

Most of the rest of Virginia entered the first phase of Gov. Ralph Northam's "Forward Virginia" business reopening plan on May 15, having met multiple COVID-19 benchmarks, including available hospital beds and a sustained reduction in 'percent positive' coronavirus tests.

Northern Virginia lagged behind. At the suggestion of leaders from the City of Alexandria plus Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties, Gov. Northam held back Northern Virginia. Our region is not set to start phase one until this Friday, May 29.

Each phase was set to last for several weeks with continual assessment to ensure coronavirus cases do not increase.

But over the weekend, Northern Virginia's officials sent a letter to Gov. Northam stating that the region had met four of the six criteria and have "assessed" the other two — increased contact tracing and a sustainable supply of PPE. Solutions to both issues are in the works.

The letter to Gov. Northam also said, "As you have stated, we believe there is value for the Commonwealth moving forward together. If the data supports it, we would like the Northern Virginia region to move to Phase 2 in concert with the rest of the Commonwealth when that date is established."

That date has not been established.

Officials also noted that the stay-at-home order has been particularly difficult for people with mental health challenges and requests additional support for that group.

Gov. Northam is hosting a press conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday, and Gov. Northam is expected to announce the date for Northern Virginia to enter phase one and possibly make an announcement requiring masks in certain situations.

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Virginia Dept. of Health

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Alexandria does have the authority to require masks

Alexandria has a City Charter that authorizes Council to protect the inhabitants of the city from contagious, infectious or other diseases:

Sec. 2.04 - Power to make regulations for the preservation of the safety, health, peace, good order, comfort, convenience, morals and welfare of the city and its inhabitants.

In addition to the powers granted by other sections of this charter the city shall have power to adopt ordinances, not in conflict with this charter or prohibited by the general laws of the Commonwealth, for the preservation of the safety, health, peace, good order, comfort, convenience, morals and welfare of its inhabitants. Among such powers, but not in limitation thereof, the city shall have power:

(h) To regulate, in the interest of public health, the production, preparation, distribution, sale and possession of milk, other beverages and foods for human consumption, and the places in which they are produced, prepared, distributed, sold, served or stored; regulate the construction, installation, maintenance and condition of all water and sewer pipes, connections, toilets, water closets and plumbing fixtures of all kinds; regulate the construction and use of septic tanks and dry closets, where sewers are not available, and the sanitation of swimming pools and lakes; provide for the removal of night soil, and charge and collect compensation for the removal thereof; compel the use of sewers, the connection of abutting premises therewith, and the installation in such premises of suitable sanitary facilities; regulate or prohibit connections to and use of sewers; provide for the quarantine of any person afflicted with a contagious or infectious disease, and for the removal of such person to a hospital or ward specially designated for contagious or infectious diseases; inspect and prescribe reasonable rules and regulations in the interest of public health, with respect to private hospitals, sanatoria, convalescent homes, clinics and other private institutions, homes and facilities for the care of the sick, of children, the aged and the destitute; provide and maintain hospitals and compel the removal of patients to the same; require the registration of births in the city; regulate in the interest of public health the construction, maintenance and operation of laundries; and make and enforce all regulations necessary to preserve and promote public health and sanitation and protect the inhabitants of the city from contagious, infectious or other diseases.

Barbara Beach more than 4 years ago

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