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 is 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.
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
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