[Archived] City of Alexandria Facilities Closed or Open by Appointment Only, Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

For Immediate Release: March 22, 2020

To promote social distancing during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, all City of Alexandria facilities are now either closed to the public or open by appointment only, until further notice. Customers may call 311 or 703.746.4311 to request in-person information or service. If the request cannot be resolved over the phone or online, the customer will be accommodated in person if possible.

“As we continue to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our area, the City is enhancing its social distancing measures by limiting access to City facilities,” said City Manager Mark Jinks. “While these measures are intended to respond to staff shortages and the Governor’s call to avoid non-essential gatherings of more than 10 people, City government remains operational and we will do our best to serve customers through alternate means.”

All City recreation, nature and art centers; museums and indoor historic sites; and library branches are closed to the public. All other facilities, including City Hall, are open by appointment only. City officials will continuously re-evaluate these plans based on the status of the outbreak and guidance from the Alexandria Health Department. Facilities that are not closed may have modified hours of operation. More information on closures, cancellations and other operational changes can be found at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.

Residents, businesses, and visitors who need to access City services may use alternate means in order to complete necessary transactions, including the following examples:

• Over 175 City services are available through Alex311 on the web at alexandriava.gov/Alex311; via the Alex311 app for iOS or Android; at @AlexandriaVA311 on Facebook or Twitter; or by calling 311 or 703.746.4311, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Voicemail is available after hours and during heavy call volume, and messages will be returned in a timely fashion.

• Facilities will be open to the public for in-person meetings of City Council or boards or commissions as required by state law. However, the public is strongly encouraged to follow meetings at alexandriava.gov/Dockets rather than attending in person. Check the City Calendar in advance of a public hearing for ways to participate online or by phone.
  

• The City will continue to maintain its multi-departmental “virtual” Permit Center while the physical center is limited. The Permit Center allows customers to obtain construction-related permits and development review at one central location and includes staff members from Code Administration, Finance, Planning and Zoning, and Transportation and Environmental Services.
  

• Customers may make payments for taxes, fees, guest permits and parking citations through the City’s online payment portal, by mail (City of Alexandria, PO Box 1423 Alexandria, VA 22313-1423), or by using the 24-hours payment drop box on the Royal Street side of City Hall for checks and money orders (no cash). For questions about payments, contact the Treasury Division at payments@alexandriava.gov or call 311 or 703.746.4311.
  

• Voters are encouraged to request absentee ballots online from the Virginia Department of Elections, and residents not currently registered to vote are encouraged to register to vote online through the Virginia Department of Elections. For questions about registering or voting, call 311 or 703.746.4311.
  

• With ongoing concerns about evictions, foreclosures, and housing insecurity during this difficult time, the Office of Housing will be available for questions by calling 311 or 703.746.4311. Information on Office of Housing services and programs, including contact information for each specific service or program, is available on the City’s website.
  

• The Office of the City Attorney offers online options for requests for public records and requests for review of parking citations.
  

• The Office of Human Rights will continue to receive and investigate complaints of discrimination under the Alexandria Human Rights Code and applicable federal and state laws. The Office of Human Rights enforces antidiscrimination laws in the City by investigating alleged discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, health and social services, education, credit and retaliation. Residents who suspect they are being illegally discriminated against can continue to call 311 or 703.746.4311, or fill out an intake form on the City’s website.
  

• Candidates for City government jobs may continue to apply for employment on the City’s website.

For more information about the COVID-19 coronavirus and how you can help protect yourself and those around you, visit alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus. For questions about COVID-19, call the Alexandria COVID-19 Information Line at 703.746.4988, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Virginia residents can also call the Virginia Department of Health public information line, 877.ASK.VDH3, for questions about the novel coronavirus situation. If you have chest pain or shortness of breath, call or text 911.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Craig Fifer, Director of Communications and Public Information, at craig.fifer@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3965.