For Immediate Release: November 3, 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. To stop the spread of COVID-19, the state order and City ordinance require everyone ages 10 and older to wear a mask over their nose and mouth in indoor public places and when at least 6 feet of physical distance cannot be maintained between those of different households in outdoor public places, with limited exceptions. Your neighbors and loved ones are counting on you.
The City and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) are working to provide businesses with solutions to extend their outdoor capacity and provide customers the space necessary to maintain 6 feet of physical distance. AEDP is now accepting applications for its ALX B2B All-Weather Grant, which provides businesses funding to help cover the costs of procuring tents, awnings and heating elements to create outdoor spaces for customers. Additionally, a new law allows more flexibility during the pandemic by extending outdoor seating space with alcoholic beverage service into designated areas of streets, parking lots, parks and other public spaces that are not adjacent to a restaurant. City permit fees associated with adapting outdoor operations to colder weather are temporarily waived. Restaurant, retail and fitness businesses may operate in on-street parking spaces, on sidewalks or in parking lots with approval of a temporary outdoor business expansion permit.
The City will not offer indoor sports leagues for the 2021 winter season, in accordance with the Virginia Forward Phase Three guidelines and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All indoor leagues organized by the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA) are cancelled, including youth and adult basketball, adult volleyball, youth sports affiliate Alexandria Soccer Association’s indoor futsal league, and social sport gymnasium rentals. Small group sports classes, which are lower risk activities, will continue and will follow federal, state, and local guidelines for the safety of participants and staff. For current program offerings, visit the RPCA web page.
AHD and the City recently conducted a targeted COVID-19 testing event in partnership with Neighborhood Health, Alexandria's federally qualified health center. More than 60 residents were tested at Charles Houston Recreation Center on November 2, with assistance from AHD's Medical Reserve Corps volunteers. In addition to testing, each participant received a packet of health and support service information. AHD will continue to identify future sites and coordinate targeted testing events. Neighborhood Health is a provider of primary care and COVID-19 testing for residents with or without insurance. Make an appointment online or call 703.535.5568.
This chart provides information about how preventive measures are impacting Alexandria’s response to the pandemic. Click or tap the chart to view an interactive version that provides details of the seven-day moving average number of COVID-19 cases, and the daily and cumulative case and fatality counts. Detailed data, including data on age, race and ethnicity, are available through links at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.
AHD estimates that approximately 1 in 13 Alexandrians who tested positive for COVID-19 have required hospitalization. An estimated 66% of Virginia adults who become infected never have symptoms. The best ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 remain wearing a mask in public, maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from others, and frequently washing your hands or carrying and using hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl alcohol. Help your loved ones and neighbors by answering a call from AHD if identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19, and download the Virginia Department of Health’s COVIDWISE app to be quickly and anonymously notified of likely exposure to the virus.
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