For Immediate Release: September 9, 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 over both their nose and mouth at all times in most indoor public settings. Use the Virginia Department of Health’s COVIDWISE app to be quickly and anonymously notified of likely exposure to the virus. Your neighbors and loved ones are counting on you.
The Alexandria City Council will hold a virtual public hearing on Saturday, September 12, as part of its regular meeting starting at 9:30 a.m., to consider adoption of a draft ordinance expanding the current state requirement that face coverings be worn in most indoor public places. The proposed ordinance would require face coverings to be worn over the nose and mouth in all indoor public places, and in all outdoor public places where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Limited exceptions would include when a person is age 10 or younger; when wearing a face covering would be harmful to the wearer’s health; or when a person is actively eating or drinking. If adopted, the ordinance would be effective October 1 and until further notice. Failure to comply could result in a $100 fine.
The Personal Property Tax payment deadline for Tax Year 2020 has been extended by City Council from October 5 to December 15, to support residents and businesses who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Payment for the car tax and business personal property tax is now due by December 15, and enforcement of 2021 tax registration and new (red) residential parking permits will begin on December 16. Vehicles that are not currently registered for the car tax, or are parked in residential permit zones without a current (blue) parking permit, may still be ticketed.
City Council approved a proposal for the allocation of a $13.9 million second installment in federal Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. In addition to reimbursement of direct costs the City has incurred through the COVID-19 pandemic, the funding will be be allocated to rental assistance, eviction prevention and housing stability assistance programs; small business grants; expanding and extending food security programs; a fund for community nonprofit organizations; childcare and workforce development initiatives; and Alexandria City Public School’s Virtual Plus+ program. Current guidance states that the CARES Act funding must be expended by December 30.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Alexandria is now 3,546, including 62 fatalities. COVID-19 is spread by people whether or not they have symptoms, and AHD estimates that nearly 9% 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 over both the nose and mouth, 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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