March 23, 2020
To the Fairfax County Community,

The past few days haven't been easy and today's news (detailed below) on school, restaurant, and business closures doesn't make it any easier. W e will have to sacrifice a lot over the coming months, b ut it is what we need to do to keep everyone safe and contain this virus.

While taking in the many changes announced by Governor Northam today, I sent a letter to President Trump asking him to make the National Capital Region a priority for federally-supported COVID-19 testing.

I also have a new webpage devoted to all of the COVID-19 updates and resources from past newsletters. I will continue to send newer developments here.

My team and I are working hard to send you updates such as this every day. Today's edition is for March 23, 2020. Additionally, thank you for all of the emails and feedback. As you can imagine there has been an extraordinary amount coming in each day. I will work to circle back with each one of you.

If you have a friend who would like to sign up for this newsletter, they can do so here .
Fairfax County Public Schools

  • Per Governor Northam, all Virginia K-12 schools will be closed for the remainder of the academic year.
  • All FCPS extracurricular programs, athletic programs, and community use activities are canceled during that same period.
  • The Virginia Department of Education will issue guidance on continuity of learning, as well as graduation requirements for 12th grade students.
  • For more information on FCPS's response to coronavirus click here.
  • FCPS is continuing to offer grab and go food distribution sites and meal delivery along some bus routes. Details on locations and times is available here.
  • Non-FCPS related childcare facilities may remain open, with guidance here.

Mass Gatherings, Community Events:

  • Per Governor Northam, as of 11:59 pm, Tuesday, March 24 until April 24, all gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited.
  • This does not include gatherings that involve the provision of health care or medical services, access to essential services (see below); operations of the media; law enforcement agencies; or operations of government.

Fairfax County Parks, Libraries, and Community Facilities

  • Fairfax County parks (indoor), libraries, and community facilities are closed until further notice.
  • This includes: recreation, nature, community, resource and teen centers, golf courses, historic sites, athletic fields, and picnic shelters.
  • As of today, these closures also include: playgrounds, skate parks, and restrooms.
  • Dog parks and trails remain open.
  • Although not under Fairfax control it is worth noting that NOVA Park trails like the W&OD Trail are open, with park offices closed.

Retail Businesses

  • Essential businesses as defined by the Governor may remain open, while adhering as much as possible to social distancing guidelines and enhanced sanitizing practices.
  • Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retailers that sell food and beverage products or pharmacy products, including dollar stores, and department stores with grocery or pharmacy operations;
  • Medical, laboratory, and vision supply retailers;
  • Electronic retailers that sell or service cell phones, computers, tablets, and other communications technology;
  • Automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers as well as automotive repair facilities;
  • Home improvement, hardware, building material, and building supply retailers;
  • Lawn and garden equipment retailers;
  • Beer, wine, and liquor stores;
  • Retail functions of gas stations and convenience stores;
  • Retail located within healthcare facilities;
  • Banks and other financial institutions with retail functions;
  • Pet stores and feed stores;
  • Printing and office supply stores; and
  • Laundromats and dry cleaners.
  • If not included in this list, businesses must adhere to a 10-patron limit, social distancing recommendations, and enhanced social distancing guidelines. If this is not possible, the business must close.

Dining and On-Site Alcohol Establishments


Recreation and Entertainment Businesses

  • Per Governor Northam, businesses ranging from theaters, fitness centers, beauty salons, racetracks, and bowling alleys are considered non-essential and must close at 11:59 pm, Tuesday, March 24 until April 24.
  • A full list is here.

Transportation

  • Fairfax Connector
  • Services have not changed at this time, however due to decreased ridership, services will be reduced in the next week to ten days.
  • Beginning Tuesday, March 24, customers will be required to enter and exit the bus using the rear doors. This does not apply to customer­­s who need to use a wheelchair ramp.
  • Fare collection will be temporarily suspended.  
  • Metro has significantly reduced its service.
  • The most up-to-date service information is here.
  • WMATA asks that customers do not use Metro unless absolutely necessary.
  • Dulles and Reagan National Airports activity levels have decreased, but are still operational.

Tomorrow's Board Meeting

  • A final reminder that tomorrow's Board Meeting will begin at 3:30 pm.
  • The Board will maintain social distancing guidelines and keep it short with an altered agenda.
  • Should you wish to testify on either of the two public hearing items, your options are as follow:
  • Submit written testimony via email, fax, or mail
  • Provide in-person testimony in Conference Room 6 in an appropriate, socially-distanced environment, which will be streamed to Conference Room 11
  • Submit a maximum 3-minute video testimony via email
  • All written and video testimony should be sent to: clerktotheBOS@fairfaxcounty.gov
  • As with every meeting, you can watch it online here or on Channel 16 (Verizon/Comcast) and Channel 1016 (Cox).
Health

Common health questions:

  • Not every case of coronavirus has symptoms, but those that do may appear 2-14 days after exposure:
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • The CDC recommends that only people who have symptoms of COVID-19 wear face masks and no one should not make your own masks.
  • Continue to follow the health guidelines:
  • Wash your hands
  • Cough and sneeze into your sleeve
  • Don't touch your face
  • Social distancing

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.
  • 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 |