May 28, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,

The Governor instructed that tomorrow Fairfax County will join the rest of the state in Phase I of Forward Virginia. He also directed a mask requirement in indoor public places. Below, I detail what this means for residents and businesses and connect you with the best resources on these topics.

Moving to the first phase is an important step to relieving the financial stress on many residents and businesses. But I'm not ignorant to the fact that reopening brings a number of fears and risks for many, including our vulnerable communities and simply those who don't feel comfortable going back to work. You can find resources on testing and health care in Tuesday's newsletter. Our decisions will continue to be guided by the data to make adjustments with public health and safety at the center.

That said, I want to reiterate that reopening does not mean COVID-19 is gone nor is it safe to return to "normal". We have lost 100,000 Americans to this disease and sadly that number will continue to increase. But you can still act to protect yourself, your loved ones, and honor the memories of those we have lost. Please continue to stay home as much as possible, wash your hands (using hand sanitizer if you aren't able), sneeze and cough into your sleeve, social distance, and please wear a mask. These are the best tools we have to fight this virus and move forward.

See below for the full May 28 edition. For the resources mentioned in past newsletters, visit my website . If you have a friend who would like to sign up for this newsletter, they can do so here.
Bottom line: What do I need to know?

  1. Northern Virginia will be entering Phase I of Forward Virginia tomorrow.
  2. Mask wearing is required starting tomorrow.
  3. Fairfax County athletic fields will open for unpermitted use tomorrow. 
Phase I: What does it mean?

  • Phase I restrictions can be found above, on the County's reopening webpage, and the Governor's webpage.
  • The County's webpage lays out guidelines for businesses, houses of worship, and more.
  • Also, if you are an employee and feel that your working conditions are unsafe:
  • Employees or their representatives have the right to file a complaint with the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health office requesting an inspection.
  • VOSH will withhold, on request, names of employees filing complaints.
  • A list of VOSH offices are here or you may file a complaint online with the US Department of Labor.

Masking
 
  • Tomorrow everyone age 10 and above will be required to wear a mask under the following circumstances:
  • Inside all brick and mortar retail establishments, all personal care and grooming establishments, places where people congregate, and food and beverage establishments
  • On public transportation
  • When accessing state or local government services
  • Exceptions will include:
  • While eating, drinking, or exercising
  • If one has trouble breathing or is unable to remove the mask without help 
  • If one’s health conditions prohibit wearing a face covering.
  • Law enforcement is not to be involved for calls related only to someone not wearing a mask. Persons are to report those concerns to the appropriate business or property manager or owner. For questions and concerns call: 1-877-ASK-VDH3. 

Outdoor Space for Restaurants and Exercise Facilities

  • Today, the Board approved an emergency ordinance allowing restaurants, breweries, wineries, and exercise facilities to operate outdoors at 50% of their indoor capacity.
  • Phase 1 of the Governor's Plan allows for outside dining, but only for those restaurants with a patio. Today's action will allow these businesses (even those without outside seating) to operate outside in places like parking lots and other spaces.
  • The ordinance takes effect immediately and is valid for no more than 60 days.
  • This action was necessary because the County does not typically permit restaurants and exercise facilities to operate outside in parking lots without express approval. As a result of the board’s action, these businesses will be able to do so without the need for any additional County approvals provided that they meet the requirements here.
  • This action also included a blanket approval for individual Virginia ABC license applications.
  • Learn more here.

Contact Tracing

  • Today, the Heath Department finalized its contract with the Institute for Public Health Innovation to hire and train 400 contact tracers.
  • While not directly hired by the County, they are supported by the County.
  • Contract tracing is vital to our efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate COVID-19.
  • Information on available opportunities and how to apply can be found here.

Resources for Undocumented Immigrants

  • Start by calling 703-222-0880, TTY 711, our Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) social work call center. CSP will make all the arrangements to get you the help you need through our network of community and County service providers.
  • County staff does not ask questions around a person’s immigration status, unless you are seeking a type of assistance, such as Medicaid, where there is a legal or regulatory requirement for us to ask about this.
  • We keep your information confidential, including any documents you submit to us. We do not share this information outside of CSP, unless you have given CSP authorization with other Fairfax agencies and not with the state or federal government.
  • Immigration status excludes some from certain types of federal government assistance designed to address the impacts of COVID-19, such as expanded unemployment benefits and tax benefits. Acknowledging this, Fairfax County and our nonprofit partners are committed to providing basic needs assistance regardless of immigration status.
  • Read more.
Health
Common Health Questions:

  • People with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms reported - ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. You might experience:
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Chills, repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste and smell
  • Continue to follow the health guidelines:
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer if that isn't an option (especially when in public places)
  • Cough and sneeze into your sleeve
  • Don't touch your face
  • Social distance
  • What it means to social distance, self-isolate, and quarantine.
  • The CDC recommends wearing non-medical masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. It is now required in Virginia.
  • The New York Times (access to COVID-19 content is free) spoke with infectious disease experts, aerosol scientists, and microbiologists to find out if COVID-19 can land on your clothing, hair, shoes, and mail.

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.
  • To view multilingual health materials visit the County's Language Portal.
  • Sign up for text message alerts: text FFXCOVID to 888777. Para inscribirse, textear FFXCOVIDESP a 888777.
  • Call the Health Department from 9:00 am - 7 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 |