Updates
As a reminder, per Governor Northam’s Executive Order Fifty-Three, all gatherings of more than 10 people are banned statewide. This does not include gatherings that involve the provision of health care or medical services, access to essential services for low-income residents, such as food banks; operations of the media; law enforcement agencies; or operations of government. For more information on Executive Order Fifty-Three, additional guidance can be found at https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/Frequently-Asked-Questions-Regarding-EO-53.pdf.
COVID-19 Podcast
Scott Stevens, County Administrator for James City County, is our guest on the podcast this week. We talk about COVID-19, the budget and more. video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d3Obn4M91k audio only: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/podcast
- Rumor Control
There are rumors circulating on social media regarding curfews. No new curfews have been set. The existing James City County curfew ordinance prohibits minors (anyone under 18) from being in or upon any street, park, vacant lot, playground, wharf, dock, place of amusement or any other public place in the County between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5 a.m. of the following day. This has not changed.
- Social Services and General Services
We understand there is some confusion about the difference between Social Services and General Services.
Social Services programs are intended to help people to help themselves by temporarily assisting residents in meeting their basic needs, including food, shelter, utilities and medical care and through employment. Additionally, they provide services focused on protecting children, the disabled and the elderly from abuse, neglect and exploitation. 757-259-3100
General Services is responsible for building, maintaining and operating County facilities, grounds and programs in a manner that is efficient, environmentally sound and responsive to the needs of our internal and community-based customers.
- Business Updates
In an effort to support restaurants impacted by COVID-19, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association have announced that March 30 through April 5 is Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers Takeout Week. The Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association has compiled a list of area businesses that are open for business (http://williamsburgarearestaurants.com/events) and everyone is encouraged to participate and support our community businesses.
Restaurants providing takeout, curbside pick-up and no-contact delivery are invited to fill out this form to participate. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzyCsE-vCD_CCdokuvjCg4fQdr01Jqk21Gm-P6l-JfJUwPsQ/viewform Restaurants may also email tourism@jamescitycountyva.gov if they have questions.
For more information for businesses, please visit https://www.yesjamescitycountyva.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3751.
- Managing Stress
The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
County Offices and Services
As announced on March 23, all James City County offices, facilities, public basketball courts, tennis courts, pickleball courts, volleyball courts, sports courts, athletic fields, playgrounds, skate park and recreation centers and libraries are closed to the public until further notice. This includes any courts at local schools. The County continues to provide most services and staff are available for assistance by phone or email. Visit https://jamescitycountyva.gov for more information on individual departments and services.
All County parks continue to be open; however, all restrooms in County Parks are closed. The Chickahominy Riverfront Park Campground and restrooms will close on Friday, March 27 and will remain closed until further notice. In accordance with federal guidelines to curb and mitigate the spread of Coronavirus, or COVID-19,
gatherings of 10 or more people in any park area will be asked to separate or leave the facilities.
In Other News
Virtual Open House Public Meeting for Replacement of the Ft. Eustis Boulevard Bridge
The bridge that carries Ft. Eustis Boulevard (Route 105) over the Lee Hall Reservoir in Newport News will be undergoing construction beginning in May 2020. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the City of Newport News, is hosting a Virtual Open House Public Meeting on Thursday, April 2 from 6-8 p.m. to discuss the proposed replacement project. For information and project updates visit the project website. To join the virtual meeting, visit the Public Meeting website on Thursday, April 2 from 6-8 p.m.
Previously Shared Information
For More Information
We have a hotline for the most recent updates on County information: 757-564-2140. The hotline recording will be updated as needed.
The Peninsula Health District call center is available for questions about the Coronavirus at 757-594-7069 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., seven days a week. For up-to-date information on numbers of cases and transmission, please visit the Virginia Department of Health’s web page at www.vdh.virginia.gov.
If you think you have been exposed to the Coronavirus and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider immediately.
FEMA has established a Rumor Control website to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis, stay informed with our updated myth vs. facts related to the federal (COVID-19) response. https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control
Board of Supervisors
The Board of Supervisors held their regularly scheduled Work Session on March 24: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/215/On-Demand
Effective immediately and through June 30, 2020, the James City County Board of Supervisors elected to absorb the convenience fees for credit/debit card payment. Payments made online for personal property taxes, real estate taxes, recycling invoices, landfill coupon books and bulk pickup will NOT be charged a convenience fee at this time. If you have any questions, please contact the Treasurer’s office at 757-253-6705.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission meeting on April 1 at 6 p.m. will be held as scheduled.
What You Can Do
To lower the risk of respiratory germ spread, including COVID-19, the Virginia Department of Health encourages the following effective behaviors:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Avoid non-essential travel.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Practice social distancing. Maintain at least six feet of space between yourself and other individuals when out in public.
- Avoid crowds of more than ten people.
Where to go for more information
We will continue to provide local updates through:
https://jamescitycountyva.gov/covid
www.facebook.com/jamescitycounty
www.twitter.com/jamescitycounty
Want to be the first to know what’s going on by receiving County news releases in your inbox? Subscribe to our email distribution list.
https://jamescitycountyva.gov/list.aspx?ListID=167
For information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19):
Virginia Department of Health (VDH): www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus, Phone: 1-877-ASK-VDH3 or Peninsula Health District Call Center: 757-564-7069, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV, https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2020.asp
World Health Organization (WHO): www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus2019
Cancellations
The following events have been canceled:
- March 27 Sensory Friendly Movie Night
- March 27-28 42nd Annual Countywide Spring Cleanup - postponed
- March 28 Sustainable Turf University
- March 28 CRASE & Stop the Bleed
- March 28 Stargazing with NASA
- March 29 National Vietnam War Veterans Day Event
- April 4 Take Your Kid Fishing
- April 4 Campfire Social at Chickahominy Riverfront Park
- April 11 Neighborhood Easter Egg Extravaganza
- April 11 Household Chemical Collection
- April 11 CRASE & Stop the Bleed
- April 13 Firearm Safety Course
- April 18 Bikes Out of Hibernation
- April 25 DEA Drug Take Back
- March/April Every 30 Minutes
Price Gouging
Price-gouging protections are in effect now that Virginia is under a State of Emergency. If you see excessive price increases for COVID-19 necessities, report it to Attorney General Mark Herring’s office https://oag.state.va.us/consumer-protection/index.php/file-a-complaint?fbclid=IwAR2ZwzYjS5zXBd0n6470X9p62Nr9-Wh6aMuSxWRDMzlkGjLhFX_Fukh5SkM
Media Contact:
Renee Dallman, Public Information Officer
757-272-3337; renee.dallman@jamescitycountyva.gov