VTC Recovery MLP Zoom Webinar Reminder, Webinar, Thursday, May 20 9 AM The Arts Are Open for Business
May 17, 2021
Governor Northam Lifts Mask Mandate to Align with CDC Guidance, Announces Virginia to End COVID-19 Mitigation Measures on May 28
Governor Ralph Northam lifted Virginia’s universal indoor mask mandate to align with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Governor Northam also announced that Virginia will ease all distancing and capacity restrictions on Friday, May 28, two weeks earlier than planned. The updates to Virginia’s mask policy are reflected in amendments to Executive Order Seventy-Two and will become effective at midnight on May 15 along with previously announced changes to mitigation measures.
The CDC guidelines state that fully-vaccinated individuals do not have to wear masks in most indoor settings, except on public transit, in health care facilities, and in congregate settings. Businesses retain the ability to require masks in their establishments. Employees who work in certain business sectors—including restaurants, retail, fitness, personal care, and entertainment—must continue to wear masks unless fully vaccinated, per CDC guidance. Those who are unvaccinated or not fully-vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear masks in all settings.
The state of emergency in Virginia will remain in place at least through June 30 to provide flexibility for local government and support ongoing COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Governor Northam will take executive action to ensure individuals have the option to wear masks up to and after that date. Masks will continue to be required in K-12 public schools, given low rates of vaccination among children.
Virginians over the age of 12 can schedule a vaccination appointment by visiting vaccinate.virginia.gov or calling 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1). Beginning Monday, May 17, the call center hours will change to 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
The full text of Seventh Amended Executive Order Seventy-Two and Order of Public Health Emergency Nine, which takes effect on May 15, can be found here.
The full text of Executive Order Seventy-Nine, which takes effect on Friday, May 28, can be found here.
VCA Policy Manual Revisions Open for Public Comment
The Commission Board, earlier today received a final draft of revisions to the VCA's Policy Manual, a primarily internal working document used by Commissioners and staff. Effective today, the VCA is sharing the Policy Manual for Public Comment, inviting input into anything contained within.
The primary revisions to the Policy Manual pertain to policy in support of the agency's focus on cultural equity and IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access), revisions that recognize that agency's use of electronic applications, and strengthening of the agency's process for background checks for artists who are approved for the Teaching Artist Roster. Comments may be submitted by June 16 to arts@vca.virginia.govand will be forwarded directly to Executive Director Janet Starke.
Webinar, Thursday, May 20
9 AM The Arts Are Open for Business
As restrictions continue to loosen and we look towards a goal for full re-openings on June 15 (and into the fall), join us for a panel discussion to review the latest guidance on capacity, safety, health and sanitization, as well as planned and best practices for patron and event management.
Joining us will be:
Cassidy Rasnick, Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Commonwealth of Virginia
Rebecca Tomazin, Community Mitigation Coordinator / COVID-19, Virginia Department of Health
Alex Nyerges, Director, VMFA - Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Bill Martin, Director, The Valentine
Leah Ross, Executive Director, Birthplace of Country Music
Registration not required. Please join the Webinar using the link below or join by phone:
VTC will host a Zoom webinar on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 1:30 -2:30 PM to give an overview of the VTC Recovery Marketing Leverage Program application process and VTC Brand Campaigns.
Note that registration is required for this webinar.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
The webinar will also be recorded, and available a few days after the webinar.
Prior to the webinar, it is recommended to download and review the VTC Recovery MLP Grant Terms & Conditions and the VTC Recovery MLP Grant Word Doc with Guidance.
Both of these documents, as well as more information on the VTC Recovery Marketing Leverage Grant, are available online, here.
