March 26, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,

Fairfax County is here to help. Our staff has and will continue to find ways to work with the community and support you when you need it. As the landscape continues to change, we will make sure you have the information you need. In areas that are outside of our direct control, we will provide the best resources available.

Below, you will find the latest on FCPS's distance learning program, as well as resources for the uninsured, unemployed, and members of the arts community. It's also worth noting here that the enforcement date for REAL IDs has been extended to 2021.

See below for the full March 26 edition. For more County updates and resources click here . If you have a friend who would like to sign up for this newsletter, they can do so here.
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.
  • Learning plans include paper packets, video broadcasts, lessons/assignments on Blackboard, and web chats.
  • Although this will be overseen by the School System and the School Board, we'll continue to post updates as we receive them.
  • Also, many of FCPS's grab and go meal sites are transitioning to curbside service starting Friday, March 27.

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 Courts

  • All divisions of the Fairfax City and Fairfax County General District Courts - including the Towns of Vienna and Herndon - will not be holding regular court hearings through April 17. Some dockets will still be heard. More information about rescheduling can be found here.
  • The Fairfax County Circuit Court remains open and operating on a limited docket.
  • The Supreme Court of Virginia has declared a judicial emergency. All non-essential court proceedings are suspended through April 6.

Fairfax County Government

  • Starting Friday, March 27, at 5 pm, Fairfax County will close all government buildings and facilities to the public, until further notice.
  • The County government remains open for business online, via phone, and by mail.
  • A full list of services that can be done online and by phone is here.

Fairfax County Parks

  • All Fairfax County Park Authority parks and amenities will be 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.

Medicine Disposal

  • Fairfax County Police Station take-back boxes for unused or expired medicines are closed until further notice.
  • Do not flush unused medicine because they end up in rivers and streams.
  • Here is more information and alternative locations for disposal.

Public Works PSA

  • With the increased use of sanitizing wipes due to coronavirus, Fairfax County wants to remind you that you cannot flush wipes down the drain.
  • Even those that say "flushable" may block your wastewater pipe.
  • Learn more.
  • 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.

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.

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 |