Community Notice from
Dranesville Supervisor John Foust
Dear Neighbor,

Tomorrow, Thursday, May 28, I will be participating in a Virtual Zoom Town Hall hosted by Virginia State Senator Barbara Favola. Delegate Kathleen Murphy and Arlington County Chair Libby Garvey will participate as well. The focus of the meeting will be the COVID-19 pandemic and the Northern Virginia region's pathway forward to reopening. 

The Virtual Zoom Town Hall will be held this Thursday, May 28, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Please RSVP and submit any questions you would like addressed during the town hall to district31@senate.virginia.gov (include “May 28 Town Hall Question” in the subject line). You will be emailed instructions on how to join the Zoom meeting from your computer or phone. You will also be able to submit questions during the Town Hall on Zoom and Facebook. Questions received during the town hall will be addressed as time allows. I hope you will be able to participate and look forward to hearing from you.

Below I am including information about how phased reopening will begin in Fairfax County and the recently announced requirement to wear face coverings inside public places in Virginia. In addition, I have included information about a special Board of Supervisors meeting scheduled for tomorrow afternoon during which an emergency ordinance for businesses will be discussed.

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
Fairfax County to Enter First Phase of Reopening
Governor Northam announced yesterday that Northern Virginia can enter Phase One under the Forward Virginia plan. Fairfax County will begin the first phase to reopen businesses and houses of worship on Friday, May 29. 

In early May, Northern Virginia localities asked the Governor to delay this first phase for the region. Based on health data, however, elected officials sent a joint letter to Governor Northam on Monday supporting the transition to reopen, based on four key metrics: 

  • Downward trend in positive COVID-19 cases during the past 14 days 
  • Downward trend in hospitalizations during the past 14 days
  • Increased testing
  • Adequate hospital bed and intensive care capacity 

The Forward Virginia plan provides guidelines that all businesses must follow in the first phase but eases previous restrictions on restaurants, fitness facilities, barbers and beauty salons, other retail businesses and houses of worship. Movie theaters, concert halls, bowling alleys, and other indoor entertainment businesses remain closed. Social gatherings of more than 10 people continue to be prohibited and residents are still encouraged to stay home and socially distance.

Business Reopening Guidelines 
In general, the first phase eases restrictions as follows: 

  • Restaurants: Restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and wineries may serve dine-in customers at tables outside, at 50 percent of their normal indoor capacity. Tables must be spaced six feet apart and no more than 10 people may sit at a table. A restaurant’s indoor bar area must remain closed. Disposable menus are required and servers must wear cloth face coverings. 
  • Fitness Facilities: Gyms, recreation centers, sports centers and pools may open for outdoor activities only. Customers, trainers, and instructors must stay 10 feet apart from each other and equipment also must be spaced 10 feet apart. Exercise classes are limited to 10 people. Outdoor swimming pools may be open for lap swimming only, with one person per lane. Indoor pools, hot tubs and spas, and outdoor basketball and racquetball courts must remain closed. 
  • Personal Care: Beauty salons, barbers, spas, massage centers, tanning salons, and tattoo shops are limited to 50% of their normal capacity and customers must make appointments to come in. Customers and employees are required to wear face coverings. These businesses must keep a record of all clients served, including name, contact information, and date and time of service. 
  • Retail: Other retail businesses may reopen at 50% capacity and employees must wear face coverings. Essential businesses, such as grocery stores, should follow the state’s guidance for all businesses. 

Click here for more information on how to determine your business' maximum capacity during Phase One. Business owners should consult the state’s mandates and best practices for specific industries for more detailed information. 

Houses of Worship Guidelines 
Under Virginia’s Phase One guidelines, churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples may hold services in their houses of worship at 50% of their normal capacity. With the exception of families, congregants must sit six feet apart.

Items should not be passed around during a religious service. Wine, beverages, and food must be served in individual, disposable containers. Social gatherings remain limited to no more than 10 people. Click here for additional guidelines for houses of worship. 
Face Coverings Required Inside Public Places in Virginia Starting May 29
Yesterday, Governor Northam also announced that face coverings will now be required inside public spaces in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. The requirement takes effect this Friday, May 29.

According to Governor Northam, face coverings must be worn in all retail businesses, including grocery stores and pharmacies, barbershops, salons, restaurants, on public transportation, in government buildings, and anywhere people can congregate in groups.

Face Covering Exceptions 
Face coverings are not needed for: 

  • Eating or drinking
  • Exercising
  • Children under the age of two
  • People with health conditions that keep them from wearing a face covering
  • Communicating with people with hearing-impairments when the mouth needs to be visible
  • Getting medical treatment or government services when coverings can be removed temporarily
  • Participating in religious rituals
  • Face coverings are not required inside day cares, schools, colleges, or universities. 

Adults should use their best judgment with respect to placing face coverings on a minor between the ages of two and nine while inside public places. Adults accompanying minors ages 10 through 18 should use reasonable efforts to prompt the minor to wear face coverings while inside public places.

Make Your Own Face Covering 
Check out the CDC's instructions on how to make homemade face coverings or view the Fairfax County Library's video on how to sew your own mask. 

Donate Face Coverings 
The Fairfax County Health Department is seeking donations of sewn face coverings for nonprofits that support low-income households. 

Have a donation? Fill out this form or call 931-981-9698 and a member of the donations team will coordinate your donation. 
Special Board of Supervisors Meeting May 28 to Consider Emergency Ordinance for Businesses
The Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting on Thursday, May 28, at 3:00 p.m. to consider the adoption of an emergency ordinance that would temporarily permit the expanded use of outdoor space for outdoor dining, fitness, and exercise activities when the County moves into Phase One of the Forward Virginia reopening plan. If adopted, the ordinance would allow expanded use under specified conditions and would not require individualized determinations.

The meeting will be held virtually. You can watch or listen to the meeting via the following channels:

  • Watch the live stream of the meeting online
  • Watch live on TV (Cox channel 1016 or Verizon/Comcast channel 16)
  • Listen to the live meeting audio by dialing 703-324-5300
  • View the video on demand following the meeting
Stay Informed
Fairfax County is closely monitoring the coronavirus situation. Residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for coronavirus text alerts and to visit the frequently updated website listed below.

  • Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19/.
  • Sign up for text message alerts­: text FFXCOVID to 888777.
  • Email the Fairfax County Health Department at ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov (monitored 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekdays).
  • Call the Health Department at 703-267-3511 (9:00 a.m. to 7 :00 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekends).