COVID-19 Updates and Reminders
Governor’s Office
Governor Ralph Northam presented the detailed framework for Phase One of the Forward Virginia plan to safely and gradually ease public health restrictions on businesses and individuals while containing the spread of COVID-19 during today’s 2 p.m. briefing. Visit https://www.governor.virginia.gov/ for details.
Virginia Department of Health
If you plan on heading to the stores this weekend to pick up essentials, remember to practice store safety:
- Be sure to stay 6 feet away – even in the aisles.
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home.
- Try to only go to the store once a week or less.
- Wear a cloth mask over your nose and mouth, if you can.
- If your store has curbside pickup or delivery, use it!
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Wear a cloth face covering to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Growing evidence suggests the virus can spread:
• Before people show symptoms (pre-symptomatic) and
• From people who have the virus but never show symptoms (asymptomatic).
Cloth face coverings help prevent spread of COVID-19 in these situations. Learn more about these coverings and how you can make one: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html
Tired of being indoors? Taking your dog for a walk can help keep you both healthy and relieve stress. Just make sure you and your pup stay at least 6 feet from other people and animals. Learn more: https://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2020/05/pet-week/
Social Services
The Virginia Department of Social Services will provide Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits to families of school-age children who no longer have access to free or reduced-price school meals due to public school closures.
Eligible Virginia households include students who receive free or reduced-price school meals, as well as students enrolled in schools that provide free meals to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision. Households will receive a one-time benefit of (up to) $376, per eligible student. Visit www.PEBTva.com to learn more or read the press release at https://bit.ly/2Ld34H2.
Resilience Week
May 3-9 is Resilience Week in Virginia. Today is Friendly Friday!
Friendly Friday - Adjective: kind and pleasant 50 Ways to Practice: Friendly Friday
Tomorrow is Self-Care Saturday!
Self-Care Saturday - Noun: the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress. 50 Ways to Practice: Self-Care Saturday
Scams
If you receive an unsolicited phone call, text message, email, computer pop-up or social media private message offering a service, a loan, a grant, a sweepstakes award or other business opportunity that requires a fee to be paid, COVID-19 treatments or vaccines or requesting that you provide or verify personal or financial information, it may be a scam. Many new scams have surfaced recently, and it is important for you to familiarize yourself with them. Scammers are preying on fears. Visit our website to learn more about these scams and what you can do to protect yourself. As always, if you’re unsure, please call JCCPD at 757-566-0112 before providing personal or financial information to anyone! https://jamescitycountyva.gov/3761/COVID-19-Scams
Business Updates
Update on Executive Order Fifty-Three – During Governor Northam’s press conference today, he outlined guidelines for businesses as Executive Order Fifty-Three expires on Friday, May 15. Please check the Governor’s website later today for complete details about Phase 1. https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus/
- Restaurants remain open for carryout and to-go, but may utilize 50% of their outdoor seating.
- Non-essential retail may open at 50% capacity.
Owners of Businesses Closed due to COVID-19 Should Flush Building’s Plumbing Systems before Workers Return – Directors of Hampton Roads’ water utilities and health department officials advise business owners and operators who closed or evacuated buildings due to COVID-19 to thoroughly flush their establishment’s plumbing systems before reopening. https://www.yesjamescitycountyva.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3929
Businesses are reminded to take the Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Blueprint to Get Virginians Back to Work Survey. The survey is 14 questions and should take about five minutes to complete. Survey deadline is Friday, May 15. Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NWSZB7N
Business owners are encouraged to sign up for the Economic Development Emergency Information newsletter. Subscribe online: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/list.aspx?ListID=356. You can view the May 8 news online: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicSend/ViewMessage/message/112088.
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 – sign up for the Tour D’ Trails mountain bike trials for some friendly competition, reduce your stress though play and fun online games, create your own DIY therapeutic activities, take the panoramic tour of Yosemite National Park and the Ford’s Theatre, plus virtual health and wellness opportunities abound through the College of William & Mary’s Department of Health & Wellness. Check out our new list of programming at https://jamescitycountyva.gov/3765/Virtual-Programming. and our ongoing list of programming at https://jamescitycountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/24687/Ongoing-Virtual-Programs-PDF. The list is updated weekly.
James City County has a variety of opportunities available in our parks to maintain your mental wellness and connect to nature during these uncertain times. Whether you want to get some exercise or reduce your stress, we can help. All County parks are open; however, patrons must practice social distancing. Please maintain a social distance of at least 6-feet and groups of 10 or more 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://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3924
Park Updates:
- 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 currently open for stays of 14 days or longer, as permitted by Governor Ralph Northam’s Executive Order Fifty-Five. Beginning June 11, in accordance with the order, the campground will accept short-term campers (stays of 13 days or less). Camping is an activity that can be done safely within social distancing guidelines. The Guest Services building remains closed, but campers may make reservations by calling 757-258-5020. 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.
Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center
Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center is open and providing patient care through virtual visits. If patients are interested in scheduling a virtual visit, we ask that they call our main line at 757-259-3258. Both current and new patients are welcome. During this time, our operating hours have changed to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
We will begin a soft-opening on Monday, May 11 and will be offering a very limited number of face to face appointments. All patients who enter the building are being asked to bring and wear a face mask. At this time, visitors are not permitted in OTMDC to accompany a patient to an appointment, unless the patient is under 18 years of age. Upon arrival, all patients will be screened and have their temperature taken at the door.
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