Local Declaration of Emergency
On Tuesday, the Board approved a resolution for a local Declaration of Emergency.
What does this do? This does three things primarily: 1. This declaration streamlines and expedites Fairfax County Government's access to emergency disaster funding. 2. It allows the County to use its authority to procure goods to address the emergency. 3. It serves as a reminder to the community of the severity of the situation we are dealing with.
Mass Gatherings and Community Events
Governor Northam told Virginians to avoid non-essential gatherings of more than 10 people, per federal guidelines. This does not include normal operations at essential services such as manufacturers, distribution centers, airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, grocery stores, or pharmacies.
County guidelines for those planning an event...
Fairfax County Public Schools
Beginning Thursday, March 19, FCPS is expanding the grab and go food distribution sites, including pop-up locations, and several bus routes throughout the County.
All students enrolled in FCPS and other County children 18 years and under receive one meal at no-cost; and, may have additional meals at no-cost upon request. Adults may purchase breakfast and lunch meals at a cost of $2.00.
Fairfax County Government
The Board will be
meeting next Tuesday with an altered agenda and in a
different meeting space to accommodate social distancing guidelines. The meeting will begin at
3:30 pm on March 24 in Conference Room 11 of the Fairfax County Government Center. The Board will still vote on Administrative and Action Items. There will be no presentations or Board Matters.
View the agenda...
All public hearings will be postponed except for those that require immediate attention. Those two are:
- Public Hearing to Consider an Ordinance to Amend and Readopt Fairfax County Code Section 7-2-13 and Relocate the Polling Places for the Lorton Precinct in the Mount Vernon District and the Nottoway Precinct in the Providence District
- Public Hearing on the Draft Consolidated Plan One-Year Action Plan for FY 2021
Should you wish to testify on those two 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
Boards, Authorities and Commissions should postpone indefinitely any planned meetings that do not involve time-sensitive activities. BACs can only meet electronically if they are discussing the COVID-19 emergency itself, per state law.
Information on other Fairfax County Services
For the latest Health Department information on COVID-19:
- Visit the Health Department Website and see their FAQs.
- Sign up for text message alerts: text FFXCOVID to 888777
- Call the Health Department: 703-267-3511
Neighborhood and Community Services provides access and referrals to both government and community-based resources for assistance with, but not limited to: food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and healthcare.
- Call: 703-222-0880, TTY 711
- Monday-Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm
The Sheriff's Office is
no longer serving or executing evictions.
Read more...
Unemployment
- The Virginia Employment Commission will waive the one-week waiting period to ensure workers can receive unemployment benefits as soon as possible.
- Virginia is enhancing eligibility for unemployment and allowing for fewer restrictions to receive unemployment insurance.
- Employers who slow or cease operations will not be financially penalized for an increase in workers requesting unemployment benefits.
- Read more...
Taxes
Federal Income Tax payment deadline extended until July 15, 2020.
Read more...
The following County programs have been extended:
Fairfax County Animal Shelter
How You Can Help
Supporting local and small businesses is vital during this uncertain time. Friends and neighbors can play a vital role in helping them survive and thrive. We've compiled a few ideas that we all can do to #shoplocal and keep our friends afloat, all while continuing to follow health guidelines.
- #ShopLocal – if possible, buy from your local grocer, store or other small business to help them survive this downturn.
- Restaurants – Many restaurants have adjusted their business model to offer orders to go. So order take-out, get delivery (Uber Eats is free right now), or buy gift cards for future use. These small actions will go a long way to helping them keep staff and cashflow.
- Small gyms and fitness studios — many have closed or curtailed service amid the outbreak. If you can afford to maintain your membership please consider doing so. This can help support owners and their employees and maximize the odds the business will survive the storm.
- Look ahead - Need to buy a birthday present for the future? Now's a good time to shop for that special something even if it's months away.
- Arts and Performances - For cancelled performances that are run by non-profit organizations, including many theatres, opera companies, symphonies, etc., it's often possible to decline the refunded ticket and instead contribute those funds to the non-profit in exchange for a tax refund. If you can't afford to donate the entire amount maybe consider a percentage.
- Breweries & Wineries - Get your goods to go. Most have set up ways to order and have it delivered to you or brought to your car outside. Some have even converted to making hand sanitizer!
- Last, if you can afford it, be generous, please tip more than usual. Every little bit helps.
