For Immediate Release: August 20, 2020
The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Health Department (AHD) remind everyone that you are safest at home. Older adults and persons with underlying medical conditions are at greater risk for severe disease and are advised to minimize potential exposures as much as possible. Please keep at least 6 feet of distance from others. Everyone is required to wear a mask in most indoor public settings. Download Virginia Department of Health's COVIDWISE app, which uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology to quickly and anonymously notify users who have likely been exposed, enabling you to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Your neighbors and loved ones are counting on you.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has revised travel guidelines to align with recent guidance updates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). VDH continues to advise Virginians to stay home as much as possible, especially if a trip is not essential or a traveler is either sick or at higher risk of serious illness. Virginia does not have quarantine requirements for travelers arriving from domestic or international locations; however, the CDC recommends a 14-day quarantine upon return from destinations with high rates of COVID-19. Other high-risk activities associated with travel include attending gatherings -- such as weddings, parties, sporting events or concerts -- or being in crowded places such as restaurants, airports, bus or train stations, cruise ships or river boats. Many countries have entry requirements and restrictions for entry, so anyone considering international travel should check the list of countries and requirements prior to making reservations. If you may have been exposed before or during travel or you start to show COVID-19 symptoms, contact your healthcare provider and isolate at home.
The ALX Promise safety training program is now available in Spanish. Business owners and employees can receive training in Spanish about how to safely reopen during all phases of the COVID-19 pandemic from an AHD Environmental Health Specialist. Businesses that successfully complete the training and commit to higher safety standards for their employees and customers than the minimum requirement receive an ALX Promise Shield to display and a kit of promotional materials and are added to the list of ALX Promise business partners. Register to participate on the ALX Promise webpage, or by calling 703.746.4190.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Alexandria is now 3,186, including 61 fatalities. COVID-19 is spread by people whether or not they have symptoms, and AHD estimates that nearly 10% of infected Alexandrians have required hospitalization. Everyone must do their part to stop the spread: maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others, wear a mask, and carry and use hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl alcohol. With a recent increase in cases, you are more likely to encounter someone who is infected. Be prepared to answer a call from the Alexandria Health Department in case you are identified as a close contact. Detailed data, including data on age, race and ethnicity, is available through links at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.
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