For Immediate Release: November 17, 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 to wear a mask over their noses and mouths 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 new statewide mitigation measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 are now in effect and will impact restaurant and fitness center operations, but will have limited impact on other businesses.
In restaurants, on-site sale and consumption of alcohol must end at 10 p.m., and the restaurants must close by midnight. Parties of more than 25 may not be seated or served, and dine-in customers must be served at tables (not standing or at bar seating). Each party must be seated so that customers in different parties are at least 6 feet apart. Masks must be worn at all times when not drinking or eating. Delivery and take-out services may continue to serve alcohol after 10 p.m. as permitted by existing regulations by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority.
Fitness and exercise facilities must reduce their occupancy of indoor and outdoor activity to 75% of the normal occupancy limit, not to exceed 25 persons, including instructors and participants. All other existing guidance in section A, number 5 of Executive Order 67 remains required.
All other businesses must follow the Guidance for All Business Sectors of Executive Order 67.
While the social gathering limit of 25 does not apply to individuals performing functions of their employment, assembled in an educational instructional setting, or participating in religious services, everyone must still observe applicable mask and distancing requirements.
The City strongly urges all businesses to follow these new measures, implement measures to help patrons maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others outside their household, and encourage everyone age 5 or older to wear masks in all public settings, as required by the City ordinance.
The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the national housing crisis, with impacts such as job loss or unexpected health problems putting many at risk of eviction, foreclosure, homelessness and lack of access to food. During National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (November 15-22), the City encourages residents to be aware of resources to share with those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. The City’s Food Assistance web page contains information about available options for residents who may not have enough food for themselves or their families. ALIVE! offers drive-through grocery distributions. Hunger Free Alexandria has food pantry locations and a calendar that shows when prepared meals are available. Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) offers several food distribution programs, including limited home delivery service, distribution sites and pop-up locations through December, for all Alexandria children aged 2-18 whether or not they are registered with ACPS. Resources are also available for Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) and other Virginia Department of Social Services programs, YMCA food distribution, and home delivered frozen meals and groceries to go for seniors living in Alexandria. The City also offers two locations of winter shelters for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness that are now open.
There are now more than 400 Alexandria businesses participating in the ALX Promise program. Launched earlier this year by AHD in partnership with Visit Alexandria and local restaurant and business associations, ALX Promise helps businesses operate safely while COVID-19 remains a threat in the community. ALX Promise partners include restaurants that feature take-out and delivery; hotels; retail; attractions and museums; health and wellness; personal care; pet care; education centers; and much more. To become an ALX Promise partner, business owners are trained by an AHD Educational Health Specialist in English or Spanish on the state and local COVID-19 safety requirements for operating businesses. They commit to train employees on safety measures; ensure the safety of employees, staff and customers; and follow all future health guidance. Upon successful completion, businesses receive an ALX Promise Shield to display in their windows and on their websites, showing customers their commitment to maintaining the highest COVID-19 safety standards. When considering where to shop and dine this holiday season, see the complete list of participating businesses on Visit Alexandria’s webpage. For more information or to register a business, visit the ALX Promise webpage.
The chart below, containing the seven-day moving average number of COVID-19 cases and the daily and cumulative case and fatality counts, provides detailed information about how preventive measures are impacting Alexandria's response to the pandemic. An interactive version is available at alexandriava.gov/114883. 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.
Note: This news release was edited on November 18, 2020, to clarify seating requirements for dine-in customers at restaurants.
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