Updates
Governor Ralph Northam issued a statewide Stay at Home order on March 30 to protect the health and safety of Virginians and mitigate the spread of the novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19. The executive order takes effect immediately and will remain in place until June 10, 2020, unless amended or rescinded by a further executive order.
Link to full release: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2020/march/headline-855702-en.html
Link to Executive Order Fifty-Five: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/executive-actions/EO-55-Temporary-Stay-at-Home-Order-Due-to-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19).pdf
From NPS
The Colonial Parkway is closed to vehicle traffic from Highway 199 (near the Kingspoint neighborhood) to Jamestown Island until future notice.That segment is open to bicycles and pedestrians, but visitors are encouraged not to congregate on small beaches along the James River. The visitor center at Jamestown Island is also closed.
From DMV
In the interest of public health, the closure of all Virginia DMV customer service centers has been extended until at least April 23. All DMV 2 Go and DMV Connect services have been postponed for the same duration. Driver & vehicle credentials with original expiration dates between 3/15 & 5/15 have been extended 60 days. CDLs and medical examiner certificates have also been extended. Please visit dmvNOW.com/COVID19 for details about the office closure, credential extensions and more.
James City County’s DMV Select at Satellite Services can process registration renewals through drop boxes located at each entrance to the EOC building, 3127 Forge Road, Toano, Virginia. Only personal or cashier checks, and money orders will be accepted. Please allow 5 to 10 business days for processing.
From VDOT
Alternating, single lane weekday closures are scheduled between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. this week on Route 621/Longhill Road as part of the Longhill Road Widening Project.
Business Updates
With current guidelines of social distancing and staying at home, local restaurants have added new opportunities including curbside pick-up and delivery. The Virginia Tourism Corporation and communities are encouraging support of local restaurants with Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers Takeout Week from March 30-April 5. https://www.yesjamescitycountyva.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3788
CARES Act Summary - To view a summary of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, please click here. The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship created this document.
Webinars - Payroll Forgiveness Loans Webinar: April 2 at 11 a.m., This Zoom webinar will be hosted by Dustin DeVore from Kaufman & Canoles, P.C. and Ben Ellington from Chesapeake Bank. https://zoom.us/j/722235455, Meeting ID 722 235 455
Coronavirus and Your Small Business Live Q&A with SCORE Mentors Webinar: April 9 at 1 p.m., Please register online: https://www.score.org/event/coronavirus-and-your-small-business-live-qa-score-mentors
There have been reports of scams about COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans. As a reminder, there’s no immediate deadline to apply. There’s no fee to apply and no credit card information is required. https://www.sba.gov/coronavirus
Guidance from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for Pick-your-own farms, farm stands, livestock and produce auctions, food establishments, grocery and similar retail food stores. https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/about-emergency-information.shtml?fbclid=IwAR0nHnZgGyawtV8N_7QQETIJLwlgak0vVnuY6oK9WpymRizdo0iB8046NXM
Do you need e-commerce assistance? Check out https://offline2on.com/ for resources on how to quickly pivot your business model to online. Many resources are free at this time. Offline2On.com is a community-led, cross-platform initiative to support businesses in ramping up their e-commerce efforts in the wake of COVID-19 by connecting merchants with the resources, developers, platforms and partners they need to take action. The initiative brings together nearly 1,000 technologists, designers, writers, marketers, PR professionals, as well as industry leaders from all over the world in the e-commerce space, working with platforms such as BigCommerce, Magento and Shopify.
For more information for businesses, please visit https://www.yesjamescitycountyva.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3751.
From the Virginia Department of Taxation
The Virginia Department of Taxation has information online for individuals and businesses: https://www.tax.virginia.gov/news/coronavirus-updates.
Previously Released Information
Child Care for Essential Personnel
With the recent long-term closures of the public schools, many families who work in the medical field and other essential jobs in the community must find child care for their children. There are a large number of child care centers currently open and ready to enroll children of these essential personnel. Child Care Aware of Virginia has the most up-to-date information about the child care options in the region. Essential employees in need of child care can call 1-866-KIDS TLC (1-866-543-7852) for assistance. Full news release: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=3786
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
While social distancing for COVID-19, take the time to check in on friends and family to see how they are doing. Set up a daily phone or video call to touch base and share the best and most challenging parts of the day.
Need help or know someone who does?
Contact the Disaster Distress Helpline or call 1-800-985-5990
Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
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.
For more information
- Hotline: 757-564-2140
- https://jamescitycountyva.gov/covid
- www.facebook.com/jamescitycounty
- www.twitter.com/jamescitycounty
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information:
- 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
- FEMA Rumor Control: https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control
Media Contact:
Renee Dallman, Public Information Officer
757-272-3337; renee.dallman@jamescitycountyva.gov