While the rest of Virginia enters the first phase of Forward Virginia, the three-phased plan to reopen businesses and resume a more normal life despite the threats of coronavirus, Northern Virginia is considering lagging behind.
Gov. Ralph Northam announced that due to a high case rate in certain areas of the state, he would let regions request waivers from the Forward Virginia plan that is set to start May 15.
The first phase of Forward Virginia includes allowing restaurants to serve patrons on outside patios at 50 percent capacity and it allows salons to reopen by appointment only with additional cleaning measures in place and more. (See more about the plans here.)
“I have said that phase one restrictions will be a floor, not a ceiling, and local governments can consult with our administration about stricter regulations,” Gov. Northam said on Friday afternoon.
The Forward Virginia plan requires the following metrics be met before the first phase of reopening can occur statewide:
- a downward trend of positive test results over a period of 14 days
- a downward trend of hospitalizations over a period of 14 days
- sufficient hospital beds and intensive care (ICU) capacity
- increasing and sustainable supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, respirators, gloves and gowns
- increased testing and tracing.
A Request to Delay in Northern Virginia
The chief elected officials of the five largest localities in Northern Virginia — including Alexandria and Fairfax County — sent a letter to Governor Northam this weekend, supporting his “Forward Virginia” reopening plan in general but urging him to implement it for this region only once regional threshold metrics have been met.
In other words, several localities in Northern Virginia have requested that Gov. Northam delay phase one of Forward Virginia in this area.
While the Alexandria area and much of Northern Virginia currently has sufficient hospital beds and ICU capacity, more PPE and increased testing, the infection metrics remain a concern.
“We eagerly wish to rebuild our economy and help our residents recover,” wrote Mayor Justin Wilson (Alexandria) and Chairs Libby Garvey (Arlington County), Jeff McKay (Fairfax County), Phyllis Randall (Loudoun County) and Ann Wheeler (Prince William County). “It is only through our regional achievement of these milestones that we will be positioned to avoid a more damaging return to business closures later in the summer.”
It is important to note that while local government leaders recommend this path forward, it will be Gov. Ralph Northam who has the final say on whether this delay will happen.
The metrics, which include downward trends in infections as a percentage of total tests and more, are likely be met statewide by May 15, according to this chart released Friday afternoon. However, the data in parts of Northern Virginia may not be following this trend line.
In an analysis from Northern Virginia's health directors in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and elsewhere, health officials wrote:
"Based on our assessment, we do not believe that the Northern Virginia region has met the criteria for moving into Phase 1 at this time. We recommend continuing current community mitigation strategies and reassessing this on a regular basis to determine when Northern Virginia can move into Phase 1 according to these criteria (and any additional agreed upon criteria)."
The region will learn later this week if Gov. Ralph Northam grants the region's request to delay reopening.
Residents React to Reopening Plans
When Gov. Northam outlined Forward Virginia plans last week, Alexandria area residents had mixed reactions.
While some residents and business owners were thankful for the slight move toward "normal" operations — and residents could get long-overdue haircuts — other businesses and residents were wary of reopening too soon.
Alexandria resident and Point & Line owner Cody Ferro has been organizing with other "hands-on" professionals in the area, including hair profesionals, nail salons, spas, massage providers and tattoo shops, to advocate for a delay in opening. "My colleagues and I feel it is completely irresponsible to allow these types of businesses to open," Ferro wrote in an email to Alexandria Living Magazine.
One Alexandria resident wrote on Alexandria Living Magazine's Facebook page last week: "Thank Goodness! It is time! Cases may be increasing-but it’s because we are doing more testing, but hospitalizations are down!! The elderly and vulnerable populations may still want to stay home but the rest of us NEED to get out!
A few days later on Facebook, a local nurse wrote: "As a nurse we need to see decreased numbers bfore reopening happens. We are all exhausted and mentally cannot handle a repeat surge. Stay home for all those who have to work."
