COVID-19
COVID-19 has changed all of our lives dramatically. I will be here for the duration to provide updates, resources, and information on this page and on my Twitter and Facebook pages. If you have any issues or questions, please reach out at DelDReid@house.virginia.gov. In these trying times, please take care of one another, support your local businesses when possible, and use the resources provided by the State, Federal, and Local Governments detailed here.
COVID-19 Quick Reference Links & Resources
Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Worldwide Tracking
VPAP Virginia Tracking
Virginia Department of Health Tracking
Governor of Virginia Updates & ResourcesLoudoun County Updates & Resources
Speaker's COVID Resources Toolkit
Sign up for Loudoun text alerts: text LCCOVID19 to 888777
COVID-19 related e-mails for Virginia employees and businesses:
Employees: workforce@governor.virginia.gov
- needing additional assistance with the unemployment claims process
Businesses: business@virginia.gov
- needing additional clarification on essential v. non-essential (EO 53)
If you or someone you know is feeling depressed or suicidal, please call one of the following numbers:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255; Press 1Executive Orders
EO-55 Temporary Stay at Home Order Due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) ~ March 30, 2020
EO-54 Delegation of Authority to the Commissioner of the Virginia Employment Commission to Request Title XII Advances to Support Virginia Worker ~ March 28, 2020
Order of Public Emergency Two - Order of the Governor and State Health Commissioner Declaration of Public Health Emergency ~ March 25, 2020
Order of Public Emergency One - Amended Order of the Governor and State Health Commissioner Declaration of Public Health Emergency ~ March 20, 2020
EO-52 Increases in Hospital Bed Capacity in Response to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) ~ March 20, 2020
EO-51 Declaration of a State of Emergency Due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) ~ March 12, 2020
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
If you think you have been exposed
- Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are exhibiting symptoms, call your healthcare provider for medical advice and to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
- According to the CDC, the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure: fever, dry cough, shortness of breath
REGARDLESS OF EXPOSURE, Practice Social Distancing:
- Social distancing can help slow down the outbreak by reducing the chance of infection among high-risk populations.
- The CDC defines social distancing as it applies to COVID-19 as "remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible."
Use Good Personal Hygiene
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are unavailable.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Each day, Governor Northam provides a daily press conference with updates at 2 PM. You can watch it on Facebook at: facebook.com/GovernorVA.
This page will be updated during each press conference. You can watch the latest one by clicking the video to the right.
After the Governor's press conference, I share a short summary and thoughts on the ongoing fight against COVID-19.
You can watch each day's video by clicking on the video to the right.
Resources for Residents
Food Banks
For those facing food insecurity, please use this link to find a food bank near you: https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/va-ashburn
If you would like to make donations to a local food bank, please call first to maximize “social
distancing” when making your donation.Utilities
- Dominion Energy and Washington Gas will suspend service disconnections for customers for the next 60 days. You can see the ruling here.
- Verizon announced they will waive late fees and keep customers connected to their services if they are negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. You can find their announcement here.
- Cox Communications will waive late fees and keep customers connected as well as expand their low-cost services for students and families in need during the coronavirus pandemic. You can find their update here.
Judicial System & Rental Rights
- The Department of Corrections has suspended all in-person visitation to state correctional facilities and has suspended all transfers from local and regional jails for the next 30 days.
- The Supreme Court of Virginia declared a judicial emergency and suspended non-essential state court proceedings from March 16 until April 6. During this time, an unlawful detainer may be filed by a landlord against a tenant unable to pay rent, but the court will not hear the matter until at least April 7. You can find the announcement by the Supreme Court of Virginia here.
Transportation
- The Department of State Police will suspend enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Safety Inspections Program for 60 days.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced that all DMV Customer Service Centers will be closed effective midnight, March 18 until at least April 2. Online services will still be available, and to the extent possible, everyone is encouraged to complete your transactions online. There is a 60 day extension for licenses and identification cards that expire March 15 - May 15 and for car registrations that expire in March and April. You can read the DMV's full update here.
WMATA (Metro Bus & Rail) announced changes to their reduced train and bus schedules to help protect the health of customers and Metro employees. You can find their full update regarding service changes here.
Virginia Railway Express (VRE) shared a reduced schedule for their Fredericksburg and Manassas lines starting March 17 until further notice. You can find the updated schedule here.
Employment & Taxes
The Virginia Employment Commission will waive the one-week waiting period to ensure workers can receive unemployment insurance benefits as soon as possible. Additionally, the eligibility for unemployment benefits has been expanded, and workers who meet the following criteria will be considered for support:
Workers affected because their employer needs to temporarily slow or cease operations due to COVID-19.
Workers who have been issued a notice to self-quarantine by a medical or public health official and is not receiving paid sick or medical leave from their employer.
Workers who must stay home to care for an ill family member and are not receiving paid family medical leave from their employer.
For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions guide for workers that have been temporarily laid off or discharged during this public health crisis.
The Department of Taxation is extending the due date for individual and corporate income taxes owed to June 1, 2020. Interest will still accrue. *Note: the filing deadline of May 1, 2020 remains the same.*
The Loudoun Board of Supervisors has approved a one month delay in payment of personal property taxes. The tax deadline will now be June 5, 2020, instead of May 5.
Resources for Small Businesses
Small Business Loans
The U.S. Small Businesses Administration approved disaster loans as a financing option for small businesses in Virginia that have been, and will be, negatively affected by the COVID-19 emergency.
For more information on the criteria for loan approval and for help applying, please visit the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development’s website here: biz.loudoun.gov/sba-economic-injury-disaster-loan-process/
Taxes
- Businesses impacted by COVID-19 can defer payments on state sales taxes due on March 20 for 30 days.
- The Virginia Department of Taxation is extending the due date for individual and corporate income taxes owed to June 1, 2020. Interest will still accrue. *Note: the filing deadline of May 1, 2020 remains the same.*
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