COVID-19 Updates and Reminders
Testing
To assist public health officials contain the spread of COVID-19 in overlooked, under-tested, underserved and/or uninsured communities, Sentara Healthcare and the Peninsula Health District are offering free testing tomorrow, June 5, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Williamsburg House of Mercy. https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=4006
Phase Two
Governor Northam has announced plans for most of Virginia to move into Phase Two beginning Friday, June 5. The full text of Executive Order Sixty-Five and Order of Public Health Emergency Six is available here. For more information, visit https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/Virginia-Forward-Phase-Two-Guidelines.pdf.
Personal Property/Real Estate Taxes
Personal property and real estate taxes are due tomorrow, June 5, A late payment penalty is waived until Aug. 5, 2020, however, interest will be charged at a rate of rate of ten percent (10%) per annum (about .83% monthly) for all payments made after June 5, 2020. If you did not receive your tax bill, please call the Treasurer’s Office at 757-253-6705. Taxes are still due even if you did not receive the bill. For information on payment options, visit https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3919
Social Services
Families who received free or reduced lunch through their schools will be issued a one-time benefit called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT. https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/pebt.cgi
- How do I set up my PIN? There are three ways to PIN your P-EBT card and manage your benefits account. You may call 1-866-281-2448, log on to https://www.connectebt.com/, or download the ConnectEBT app on your mobile device. Secure information detailing how to PIN your card will be included in the envelope with your card.
- What can I buy? You can buy any SNAP eligible food with P-EBT. Most foods are SNAP eligible, except prepared foods and foods sold hot. A list of SNAP eligible foods is on the USDA website at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/eligible-food-items.
- Where do I go? You can use your P-EBT benefits at any store that accepts SNAP. Most retailers have signs stating they accept SNAP or EBT. You may also purchase groceries online at Walmart and Amazon.
Business Updates
SCORE is hosting a webinar explaining loan forgiveness for the Paycheck Protection Program on Tuesday, June 9 at 5:30 p.m. This webinar is free, but you must register in advance. https://clients.virginiasbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=900400037
Businesses are encouraged to update their electronic communications regarding their operations especially as Phase Two of Forward Virginia begins. Make sure to update your website, social media and send an update to your email subscribers.
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
The Diascund Reservoir boat ramp will be closed for paving June 4–5. Located at 9551 Diascund Reservoir Road in Lanexa, the reservoir provides a scenic destination for anglers to try their luck on a variety of fish species. The public boat ramp allows anglers to launch their boats near the center of the reservoir. For more information, visit https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/waterbody/diascund-reservoir/
The beachfront at Jamestown Beach Event Park is now open to all swimmers and sunbathers. Park visitors are required to continue to practice social distancing and limit groups to no more than 10 people. Please note: visitors are not permitted to use tents or group umbrellas or participate in group sports (such as volleyball, football, Frisbees, etc.) on the sandy beach. Parking is available, but limited on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once the park reaches vehicle capacity, no other vehicles will be permitted in unless one leaves—there will be no pick-up or drop-off once capacity is reached. The Observation Pier, water fountains and picnic tables remain closed until further notice. Grilling (personal nor park grills) is not permitted. Concessions are anticipated to reopen on June 8. All County parks are open; however, many park amenities remain closed. For information on openings/closings, visit https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3980 or call 757-259-5360.
Parks & Recreation summer camps and classes are scheduled to resume* on June 29! For specific program and camp offerings and descriptions, dates, cost and all registration information, please visit our website starting June 3 (https://jamescitycountyva.gov/635/Parks-Recreation). Programs will follow social distancing and other safety procedures as outlined by CDC and the Governor of Virginia. *Camp/class offerings are subject to change based on CDC and Governor’s timelines and recommendations.
Parks & Recreation wants to help you and your family stay engaged while feeling “safer at home.” Our Virtual Programming page offers opportunities for activities for all ages to do at home, in your yard, or in our parks. New this week - try out our online jigsaw puzzle and guess the County park featured, explore free stories and fun projects for kids, and take virtual tours to Rome, Italy and the wonderful and unusual Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Check out the latest offerings at https://jamescitycountyva.gov/3765/Virtual-Programming and our ongoing list of programming at https://jamescitycountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/24687/Ongoing-Virtual-Programs-PDF.
Voter Registration and Elections
The next election for James City County voters is Tuesday, June 23 and it is a primary. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage all James City County Voters to Vote from Home by absentee ballot. Visit the website for your options for obtaining an application or making your request: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/1044/Voter-Registration-Elections
Personal Property and Real Estate Taxes
James City County personal property and real estate tax bills have been mailed and are due Friday, June 5. If you did not receive your tax bill, please call the Treasurer’s Office at 757-253-6705. Taxes are still due even if you did not receive the bill.
The Board of Supervisors voted on May 5 to not charge a late payment penalty for personal property tax payments made between June 6, 2020 and midnight, Aug. 5, 2020. Interest will be charged at a rate of rate of ten percent (10%) per annum (about .83% monthly) for all payments made after June 5, 2020. Visit the website for more information: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=3919
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