Community Notice from
Dranesville Supervisor John Foust
Dear Neighbor,

Virginia moves into Phase Three of Governor Northam's reopening today. I have included more information about this change below.

Yesterday the Board met virtually for a day of Board Committee meetings, including Information Technology, Housing, Health and Human Services, and Transportation. The meetings are available to view on demand here and agendas for each meeting can be viewed at the hyperlinks above.

In addition to information about Phase Three, this email also includes information about new Virginia state laws that take effect today, the phased reopening of additional Park Authority facilities, summer programs from the County's Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, and more.

Fairfax County Government offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, for the Independence Day holiday. Click here for specific schedule information for the holiday and here for the County's Assistance from a Distance web page, which includes information on how to conduct County business online. Unfortunately, the planned fireworks events which are usually held in Herndon, Great Falls, and McLean were cancelled this year. However, a drive-thru celebration is scheduled in Great Falls. More information on that below.

I hope you have a nice weekend with family and friends, while continuing to practice safe social distancing and taking appropriate precautions, included below.

Please share this email with your friends and neighbors and do not hesitate to contact my office if we can be of assistance; email Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-356-0551.

Sincerely,
John
Virginia Enters Phase Three of Reopening July 1
Virginia moves into Phase Three of reopening today, Wednesday, July 1.

In Phase Three, the Commonwealth will maintain a Safer at Home strategy with continued recommendations for social distancing and teleworking, and the requirement that individuals wear face coverings in indoor public settings. The maximum number of individuals allowed in social gatherings will increase from 50 to 250 people. All businesses should continue to follow physical distancing guidelines, frequently clean and sanitize high contact surfaces, and keep enhanced workplace safety measures in place.

Restaurant and beverage establishments are required to maintain six feet of distance between tables, fitness centers may open indoor areas at 75 percent occupancy, and recreation and entertainment venues may operate at 50 percent occupancy, or a maximum of 1,000 persons. Swimming pools may also expand operations to free swim in addition to indoor and outdoor exercise, diving, and swim instruction. Overnight summer camps will remain closed in Phase Three.

Phase Three Summary
  • Safer at home - especially if you are vulnerable
  • No social gatherings of more than 250 individuals
  • Continued social distancing
  • Continued teleworking strongly encouraged
  • Face coverings required in indoor public spaces
  • Expanded business operations

Phase Three guidelines can be found in English here and in Spanish here. Governor Northam’s presentation outlining Phase Three can be found here. Visit virginia.gov/coronavirus/forwardvirginia for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
New Virginia Laws Take Effect July 1
Several new laws are in effect in Virginia as of today, July 1. A few are highlighted below (with Virginia House or Senate bill numbers in parentheses). A link to all new state laws is included at the bottom of this section.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protections
This new law prohibits discrimination in public and private employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and codifies for state and local government employment the current prohibitions on discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, or status as a veteran. (SB 868)

Pedestrian Safety
The new law requires drivers to stop (not just yield) to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks until the pedestrian has cleared the lane. This includes all lanes and both directions at clearly marked crosswalks; any regular pedestrian crossing (such as residential intersections) even if unmarked; or at any intersection where the maximum speed limit is not more than 35 miles per hour. (HB 1705)

Firearms
Several new laws pertaining to firearms take effect July 1. These include:

  • Allowing localities to regulate firearms in government buildings, parks, recreation centers and at permitted events. (HB 421/SB 35)
  • Requiring background checks for any firearm sale. (HB 2/SB 70)
  • Requiring any loss or theft of a firearm to be reported within 48 hours. (HB 9)
  • Changing the charge to a Class 1 misdemeanor for endangering children under 14 by a leaving loaded, unsecured firearm in their presence. (HB 1083)
  • Prohibiting the purchase of more than one handgun in a 30-day period by any person who is not a licensed firearms dealer. (HB 812/SB 69)
  • Allowing attorneys and law enforcement officers to apply for emergency orders to prohibit a person who poses a substantial risk of injury to himself or others from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm. (HB 674/SB 240)

Absentee Voting
No-excuse absentee voting is allowed for the entire 45-day absentee voting period, including both in-person and by-mail voting. (HB 1/SB 111)

Solar Freedom
Fairfax County can move forward with a large solar array on the closed I-95 landfill site, crediting excess generation from that facility to other County electricity accounts serviced by the same incumbent electricity provider. (HB 572/SB 710/HB 1184)

Marijuana Decriminalization
This new law decriminalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana and directs executive branch secretaries to convene a workgroup to study marijuana legalization with a report due by November 30, 2020. (HB 972/SB 2)

Administering Naloxone
A person who is not otherwise authorized to administer naloxone is allowed do so in good faith to a person who is believed to be experiencing or about to experience a life-threatening opioid overdose. (SB 566)

Confederate Monuments
Localities are permitted to remove, relocate, contextualize, or cover any monument or memorial to war veterans on the locality’s public property, not including a monument or memorial located in a publicly owned cemetery, regardless of when the monument or memorial was erected. (HB 1537/SB 183)

Towing
The new law raises the additional fee that can be charged for towing a vehicle at night, on weekends, or on a holiday from $25 to $30. (HB 1511/SB 916)

Overview of All New State Laws
Read an overview of all new state laws here.
Phased Reopening of RECenters and Other Park Facilities + Outdoor Group Fitness Classes
The Park Authority’s nine RECenters will reopen to the public over the next
several weeks as the region moves into Phase Three of Governor Northam’s Forward
Virginia plan. This will be a phased reopening starting with Lee District, Oak Marr, and
Spring Hill RECenters on Monday, July 13, 2020. These openings will be followed by Audrey
Moore, Cub Run, and South Run RECenters on Monday, July 20, 2020. George Washington,
Mount Vernon, and Providence RECenters will open on Monday, July 27, 2020. Members can access any open RECenter until they are all available.

Members, guests, and class participants will have a very different experience than pre-pandemic, starting with health screening for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entrance into the facility. In addition, reservations will be required. There will be a specific time limit for visits and less equipment on the floor with increased separation between each piece. Everyone will be required to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth when not actively exercising.
Initially, the fitness centers and pools will reopen under timed entry restrictions for individual
workouts, lap swimming, and water walking. Later, drop-in exercise and other classes inside the RECenters will resume, free and plate weights will return, and racquetball and basketball courts will be available.

Other popular Resource Management Division sites will reopen as well during Phase Three.
Visitor centers, nature centers, and historic properties will begin opening with restrictions. As
conditions allow, the Park Authority will reopen historic property rentals, the equestrian ring at
Frying Pan Farm Park, and the observatory at The Turner Farm.

All openings are based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, state
mandates, guidance from local health officials, and availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies.

Outdoor Group Fitness Classes
Get your fitness fix with the Park Authority’s new Outdoor Group Fitness Classes. The Park Authority recently launched a series of outdoor exercise classes at RECenter locations across the county.

Choose from workouts such as Boot Camp, Aerobics, Cycle Spin, Zumba, Tai Chi, PiYo, Yoga, Pilates, H.I.I.T., BODYCOMBAT and Fitness for Seniors. All classes are held outdoors in locations ranging from RECenter parking lots to patios.

Classes are being offered seven days a week, with both morning and evening options. These are not free, drop-in classes. Participants must register in advance through Parktakes Online. You can find class and registration information on the RECenter Fitness and Wellness web page.

Coming soon, the Park Authority will debut Healthy Strides Community Classes featuring favorite fitness instructors in a variety of formats on a LIVE schedule. In the meantime, if you are looking for more virtual fitness resources, check out the Fitness & Wellness tab of the Virtual Exploration Center. There you can find exercise videos, partner resources and more, right at your fingertips.

For more details on the Park Authority’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and answers to frequently asked questions, visit the FCPA Coronavirus Response website.  
Leaving Home? Know the COVID-19 Risks Before You Go
Many are eager to get out of the house as the County continues to reopen, and some may have no choice but to leave the house. While there is no doubt you are safer at home as COVID-19 continues to spread between people in the region, there are several considerations and actions you can take so that if you head out, you can do so as safely as possible.

4 Things to Consider
There is no way to ensure zero risk when leaving home. In general, the more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spreading.

  1. The more people you interact with the more your risk of getting COVID-19 increases. Even if someone does not appear sick, they may have COVID-19.
  2. The closer you are to other people who may be infected, the greater your risk of getting sick. Indoor spaces, where it might be harder to keep people apart and there is less ventilation, are more risky than outdoor spaces.
  3. Spending longer time with people who may be infected increases your risk of becoming infected.
  4. Spending time with people who do not wear a cloth face mask increases the risk that they could spread infection to you.

Ask the Right Questions
While it is a challenge to provide specific risk assessments for every activity, there is guidance in place for businesses as they reopen. There are also precautions you can take as you run errands, grab a meal, or get some exercise. Think about what it is you would like to do and ask yourself some key questions to help make the best decision for you.

  • Will my activity put me in close contact with others?
  • Am I at higher risk for severe illness, or do I live with someone who is?
  • Do I need to travel to another community and what are the travel requirements to be aware of?
  • Do I know what to do if I get sick?

These are just a few examples of questions you should consider. If you are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, you may need take additional precautions. Visit the Health Department’s Understanding COVID-19 Risks webpage for 10 Questions to Ask Before Going Out and what to consider as you answer them.

Take Precautions If You Go Out
In addition to using those questions to help assess your own risk, you should continue to take preventative actions to protect yourself and others such as:

  • Wear a cloth face covering
  • Keep at least six feet of space between you and others (social distancing)
  • Wash your hands and avoiding touching your face
  • Use hand sanitizer while you are out and cannot wash your hands
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Using touchless options whenever possible

One way to help with some of these preventive actions is to have a kit prepared for when you do go out. Include a face covering, hand sanitizer and tissues.

If you are sick or if you are in contact with someone who is sick within six feet and for 15 minutes or more, it is critical that you stay home and away from others, and get tested if necessary. By staying home, you are preventing spreading COVID-19 to others and helping the community.
Phase Three Reopening for NCS: Camp Fairfax, NCS Connects Summer, and Virtual Programming
As Fairfax County moves into Phase Three of the Forward Virginia plan and gradually reopens facilities to the public, here is what you need to know about Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS):

Camp Fairfax
NCS will be providing an abbreviated summer program for rising first- through sixth-grade children of working families from Monday, July 13 through Friday, August 7. The program, Camp Fairfax, will be at 18 locations across the County, including seven NCS Community Centers and 11 Fairfax County Public Schools. This full-day program will run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day, featuring exciting opportunities in outdoor adventures, performing arts, sports, and recreation, visual arts, science exploration, and creative writing. Current CDC health and safety guidelines will be implemented. Registration begins Monday, July 6; space is limited. Learn more here.

NCS Connects Summer: A Virtual Journey
NCS is offering its first virtual summer program for youth and teens: NCS Connects Summer: A Virtual Journey! This new four-week Virtual Summer Camp will be offered via https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/ncs-connects, each weekday from July 6 to July 31. For grades 1 to 6, camp will run from 9:00 a.m. to noon; for grades 7 to 12, it will run from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. During camp, participants will develop valuable life skills and make positive social connections through a combination of live, pre-recorded, and self-guided activities across five categories, including arts and crafts, STEAM and more. Register today by contacting your local Teen or Community Center. Alternatively, you may download the registration packet and drop off at your local center or email to Maria.Franco-Nativi@fairfaxcounty.gov. For more information, read the parent welcome letter.

Community Centers
Community Centers will only be open for the modified youth program, Camp Fairfax. There will be no weekend hours during this four-week program. Huntington and Pinn, as well all community sites, will remain closed due to limited ability to provide appropriate social distancing.

Senior Centers
Senior Centers will remain closed, but the Virtual Center for Active Adults provides an online means to connect with peers, engage in a variety of activities and discover useful resources while combating isolation.
Inova Update
As the number of COVID-19 positive hospital inpatients continues to decline and Northern Virginia begins Phase Three, Inova will enter its first phase of less restrictive visitation guidance. More details are available on Inova's visitation webpage. More information regarding Inova's efforts to keep patients safe during this period can be found on the Safe@Inova page Inova's COVID-19 related resources are available at www.inova.org/covid19.
4th of July Drive-Thru Celebration in Great Falls
Pack the kids in the car on July 4 and drive through the neighborhood behind Turner Farm Park between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to view patriotic displays along a route that starts at the intersection of Springvale Road and Cavalcade Drive. Decorate your car in patriotic red, white, and blue to add to the fun!

Residents are strongly encouraged to remain in their vehicle at all times for everyone’s safety. Visit https://celebrategreatfalls.org/event/4th-of-july-drive-thru-celebration/ for more information.
Stay Informed
Fairfax County is closely monitoring the coronavirus situation. Residents are strongly encouraged to utilize the resources listed below: