COVID-19 Updates and Reminders
Resilience Week
May 3-9 is Resilience Week in Virginia. What is resilience? It’s the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress; or to put it simply, bouncing back. James City County Director of Social Services Rebecca Vinroot explains the importance of the week on the newest episode of This Week in James City County. https://youtu.be/wrYA15zUxC0
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
When you wear a cloth face covering, you help protect those around you from COVID-19. Help keep each other safe by continuing to properly wear cloth face coverings every time, the entire time you’re in public. Learn more https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.
- Wear a face covering to protect others from the virus that causes COVID-19 in case you’re infected but don’t have symptoms
- Keep the covering on your face the entire time you’re in public
- Don’t put the covering around your neck or up on your forehead
Reminder About Convenience Centers and the May 9 Household Chemical Recycling
We have received many questions over the last several days about garbage disposal and recycling. Our Convenience Centers and Transfer Station (also known as a landfill) have been very busy over the last several weeks with residents spending time at home cleaning out attics, closets and yards. For locations and hours of operation, visit https://jamescitycountyva.gov/2459/Convenience-Centers.
There are two ways to pay to dispose of household trash and yard debris.
- Debit and Credit Cards – All three Convenience Centers accept debit and credit cards. The 2.95% convenience fee for all credit card transactions has been temporarily suspended until June 30, 2020.
- Payment Coupons – Convenience Center coupon books may be purchased in person (by check or credit/debit card) at the Jolly Pond Solid Waste Office from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday - Saturday. Coupon books can also be purchased online or by calling the Treasurer’s Office at 757-253-6705 to purchase via phone and the coupon book(s) will be mailed. Please allow 3-7 business days for delivery.
We also offer a bulk pickup service for $75. Our truck will allow for approximately 10 pickup truck loads. A standard pickup has dimensions of: 8’ long x 5.33’ wide x 1.5’ high and when loaded level full, it will hold 2.5 cubic yards of material.
Multiple households can share one pickup as long as all materials are located in one spot. For more information and to schedule a pickup, visit https://jamescitycountyva.gov/2461/Bulk-Trash-Pickup-Request.
Recycling
Convenience Centers accept sorted recycling for free. Visit the website for a list of accepted items: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/2459/Convenience-Centers.
Curbside Recycling service continues to follow a normal pickup schedule. For more information including a list of accepted items, please visit https://jamescitycountyva.gov/recycle or call 757-253- 6700.
Household Chemical Collection
VPPSA (Virginia Peninsulas Public Service Authority) will host two Household Chemical Collection events in May.
All collections are open to the residents of Williamsburg, James City County, York County, Hampton and Poquoson. Proof of residency may be required. Event staff will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and remove items from vehicles.
- May 9, 8 a.m.-noon Operations Drive in York County (Yorktown between Service Drive and County Drive)
- May 16, 8 a.m.-noon Coliseum Drive in Hampton (Hampton Coliseum Parking Lot)
VPPSA holds 16 household chemical collection events per year and accepts a variety of paints, fuels, solvents, pesticides, automotive products and other chemicals. Visit vppsa.org for more information.
Business Updates
There is a new financial opportunity for local businesses. The Greater Williamsburg Small Business Relief Fund will provide forgivable loans to businesses located in the Greater Williamsburg region. https://www.yesjamescitycountyva.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3908 More information: https://williamsburgcommunityfoundation.org/small-business-fund/
New Webinar Series: Helping Virginia Businesses Reopen in a COVID-19 World - Virginia Community Capital is sponsoring a new webinar series on Thursdays in May. Each session will be from noon until 1 p.m. and is free. The workshops will help businesses get ready and prepared to re-open after COVID-19 including updated regulations, supply chain updates, marketing, accounting/insurance, employment and more. https://www.yesjamescitycountyva.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3907
Business owners are encouraged to sign up for the Economic Development Emergency Information newsletter. Subscribe online: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/list.aspx?ListID=356. Previous messages are available online: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/list.aspx?PRVMSG=356.
For more information for businesses, please visit https://www.yesjamescitycountyva.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3751.
Parks & Recreation
Check out our new Virtual Programming page where you’ll find fun activities for all ages to do at home, in your yard, or in our parks. New this week - learn how to paint using acrylics; get an aquatic workout at home, fun for family game night, discovery-based STEM experiences for children, activity resources for children with special needs and a virtual window into the natural world of birds! Let us help you keep your spirits high and your mind and body well. The list is updated weekly! https://jamescitycountyva.gov/3765/Virtual-Programming
James City County has a variety of opportunities available in our parks to maintain your mental wellness and connect to nature during these challenging times. You can practice social distancing while still getting exercise and reducing your stress – come hike, bike, fly a kite, boat or fish - we can help. All County parks are open, please note:
- The James City County Marina Store service window is open daily from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for fuel sales, payments and other Marina transactions. The Marina Store remains closed and there are no bike and paddle craft rentals until further notice.
- The Chickahominy Riverfront Park campground is open for stays of 14 days or longer, as permitted by Governor Ralph Northam’s Executive Order Fifty-Five. Long-term camping is an activity that can be done safely within social distancing guidelines. The walking trail, boat ramp, fishing pier and lots of open space are also open and available.
- The County’s tennis courts and pickleball courts are open, available for singles play only. The tennis courts are located at Jamestown High School, Warhill High School and Lafayette High School. At Veterans Park, only the eight pickle ball courts are open, 7 a.m. to sunset daily.
Patrons must practice social distancing; please maintain a social distance of at least 6-feet and groups of more than 10 are prohibited. Dogs must be leashed and under the complete and immediate control of their owner at all times. For the complete list of park amenity openings and closings, visit https://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3950
Social Services
Have you lost your job or had your hours reduced due to COVID-19? You may be eligible for assistance through the Department of Social Services. https://jamescitycountyva.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=3822
Need help? Know someone who does?
If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others
- Call 911
- Visit the Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746
- Visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
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, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
- FEMA Rumor Control: www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control
Media Contact:
Renee Dallman, Public Information Officer
757-272-3337; renee.dallman@jamescitycountyva.gov