March 27, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,

I am sorry to announce that a second Fairfax County resident has died of COVID-19, for more information click here. This is a tragic loss for his family, friends, and the community at large. My thoughts are with all those experiencing loss at this time.

See below for the full March 27 edition. To make sure that you are getting the most up-to-date information, we will continue to send this newsletter, but we're moving its regularity to once every other day (supplemented with breaking news). For the resources mentioned, visit my website . If you have a friend who would like to sign up for this newsletter, they can do so here.
Questions on Governor's Executive Order

  • Governor Northam's executive order on the closure of non-essential businesses left questions for some. Read Virginia's FAQ here that goes over questions from religious organizations, restaurants, and other groups.
  • Our public safety departments have come up with a process for handling violations to this order: 1. Educate, 2. Seek voluntary compliance, 3. Enforce if necessary.

FCPS

  • FCPS will begin distance learning with students on April 14.
  • Distance learning resources are provided for all ages, elementary, middle, and high school and for special education students.
  • Although this will be overseen by the School System and the School Board, we'll continue to post updates as we receive them.
  • Also, starting today many of FCPS's grab and go meal sites are transitioning to curbside service.

Fairfax County


Health care resources for the uninsured

  • Fairfax County has compiled a list of health care providers that offer primary care, dental care, behavioral health, and pharmacies for those without insurance or Medicaid.
  • If you have coronavirus symptoms, call ahead to clinics before you go.

Inova

  • Inova Urgent Care (UCC) locations at Dulles South, North Arlington, and Tysons are staffing Respiratory Illness Clinics to evaluate all patients with respiratory illness symptoms.
  • The three clinics are also collecting samples for COVID-19 testing via physician ordered vehicle-side appointments.
  • Before visiting any Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic, take the following steps:
  • Contact your regular physician for evaluation. For assistance with recommendations, to arrange for a physician appointment, or if you do not have a primary care physician, call 1-855-IMG-DOCS.
  • Your regular physician can evaluate your symptoms to determine if testing is needed based on COVID-19 testing criteria and provide a testing order, or refer you to the Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic for evaluation.
  • Upon arrival at the Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic, a clinician will greet the patient at their vehicle to collect samples for a physician-ordered test, or escort the patient into the respiratory clinic for evaluation.
  • For patients who undergo COVID-19 testing, a UCC nurse will contact those whose results are negative. For patients with positive results, a UCC nurse will coordinate with the patient’s regular physician for notification and further instructions. Patients who are tested can expect results in roughly 4-7 days.
  • Read more on Inova's response to COVID-19 here.

Fairfax County Parks

  • All Fairfax County Park Authority parks and amenities are closed to the public until further notice, per Governor Northam's closure of recreational facilities.
  • Park Authority closures include: parking lots, athletic fields, sport courts, restrooms, nature centers, visitor centers, golf courses, historic sites, picnic areas, playgrounds, amusements, boat launches, skate parks, off-leash dog areas, outdoor fitness equipment, and any areas for open recreation. 
  • Trails will remain open.
  • Fairfax County Parks made an FAQ regarding the closures.
  • Although not under Fairfax control, NOVA Park trails like the W&OD Trail are open, with park offices closed.
  • Virginia State Parks are also open for day use.

REAL IDs

  • The REAL ID enforcement deadline has been extended to Oct. 1 2021.

Resources for the Arts

  • The team at ARTSFAIRFAX is providing information and resources that directly benefit individual artists and arts organizations.
  • Learn more.

Resources for Kids

  • Fairfax County Public Works and FCPS created a journal to encourage kids to discover their backyards and neighborhoods while social distancing. Print a copy here.
  • The Traveling Players Ensemble is hosting virtual auditions for their summer acting programs for students grades 3 through 12. Learn more.

Resources for Tenants

  • Courts have stopped hearing unlawful detainer cases until at least April 6.
  • If you have an unlawful detainer case scheduled in the next few weeks, call the court to find out when it will be heard. Look up the court's phone number here.
  • It is illegal for your landlord to shut off utilities or lock you out without a court order.
  • Your landlord still has a duty to do repairs and maintenance.
  • If you are experiencing these issues call your local legal aid agent at 1-866-LEGL-AID or get legal advice from the Eviction Legal Helpline by calling 1-833-NoEvict. Visit here for more information.
  • Read more on the "Resources for Tenants" section of my website.

Tax Extensions

  • Be sure to share this important information!
  • The Board extended deadlines for:
  • The filing deadline for Personal Property Taxes for both individuals and businesses was extended to June 1.
  • The deadline to pay the first half of Real Estate taxes was extended to August 28.
Transportation

  • Metro has significantly reduced its service.
  • Metro has closed a total of 19 stations until further notice due to low ridership and to conserve critical cleaning supplies.
  • The most up-to-date service information is here.
  • WMATA asks that customers do not use Metro unless absolutely necessary.
  • Fairfax Connector
  • Because of the closures of McLean and Van Dorn Metro stations, Fairfax Connector is altering the bus routes that serve those stations.
  • Other services have not changed at this time, however due to decreased ridership, services will be reduced in the next week.
  • Customers are now required to enter and exit the bus using the rear doors. This does not apply to customer­­s in need of the wheelchair ramp.
  • Fare collection will be temporarily suspended.  
  • The deadline for public comment on the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension Project has been extended until further notice.

Unemployment Resources

  • Job seekers and employers in Northern Virginia have access to Virginia Career Works Centers: a comprehensive system of employment, training services, and resources delivered and coordinated through employment resource centers.
  • The centers are closed but there is virtual access
  • This site for businesses also has resources on unemployment insurance and Virginia's FAQs for workers, if you scroll to the bottom.
Health
Common health questions:

  • Not every case of coronavirus has symptoms, but those that do may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Some of the symptoms you might experience are below:
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • The CDC recommends that only people who have symptoms of COVID-19 wear face masks.
  • Continue to follow the health guidelines:
  • Wash your hands
  • Cough and sneeze into your sleeve
  • Don't touch your face
  • Social distance
  • What it means to social distance, self isolate, and quarantine.

Resources:

  • Fairfax County Health Department
  • To view the number of cases in Fairfax County this page is updated at noon daily.
  • Visit the County site on COVID-19, Health Department Website, and see their FAQs.
  • They also have a video presentation in English and Spanish.
  • Sign up for text message alerts: text FFXCOVID to 888777
  • Call the Health Department from 9:30 am - 9 pm weekdays and 9:30 am - 5 pm on weekends: 703-267-3511
  • Email: ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov. This account will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8 am - 8 pm.
  • Inova has a helpful FAQ.
As we have more information to share, my office and Fairfax County Government will continue to update residents.

Thank you for your support and patience as we work to manage this challenging, complex, and rapidly evolving situation.

Jeffrey C. McKay
Contact the Office

chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov | 703.324.2321 |