Weekly COVID-19 Update

As we continue to battle COVID-19 and witness the current racial injustices, it becomes clear that change is needed now more than ever. We must ensure that all Virginians, especially those traditionally left behind, are elevated and empowered to safely navigate the road ahead.

Yesterday, Governor Northam announced plans to remove the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee located on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia. He directed the Department of General Services to safely remove the statue from its pedestal and house it in storage until an appropriate location is determined.

Phase Two of the “Forward Virginia” plan to continue safely and gradually easing public health restrictions will take effect today, June 5th. Northern Virginia and the City of Richmond will remain in Phase One to allow for additional monitoring of health data.

• Under Phase Two, the Commonwealth will maintain a Safer at Home strategy with continued recommendations for social distancing, teleworking, and requiring individuals to wear face coverings in indoor public settings.
• The maximum number of individuals permitted in a social gathering will increase from 10 to 50 people.
• All businesses should still adhere to physical distancing guidelines, frequently clean and sanitize high contact surfaces, and continue enhanced workplace safety measures.
• Restaurant and beverage establishments may offer indoor dining at 50 percent occupancy, fitness centers may open indoor areas at 30 percent occupancy, and certain recreation and entertainment venues without shared equipment may open with restrictions.
• Phase Two guidelines for specific sectors can be found here.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) wants to ensure that all Virginians know how to access publicly-available COVID-19 tests.

• Individuals should continue to wear masks, wash hands frequently, stay six feet apart from others in crowds, and, if symptoms appear, stay home and call their health care provider.
• To find publicly-available tests, please click here
• VDH’s online symptom checker, at www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covidcheck/

To ensure the health and safety of voters in the upcoming elections, voting by absentee ballot is highly encouraged.

• Prince William County will conduct the Statewide Republican Primary for United States Senate and Democratic Primaries for the 1st & 11th U.S. Congressional Districts. People can view sample ballots for the June primaries at https://www.pwcvotes.org/
• All voters may request an absentee ballot using “Reason 2A: My Disability or Illness.” The last day to request an absentee ballot for the June primary is June 16th at 5:00pm, and all ballots must be returned to the Office of Elections by 7:00pm on June 23rd. Absentee by mail ballots do not require a witness signature on the return envelope for this primary election.

COVID-19 Resources:

• Virginia Department of Health website
• Virginia Department of Social Services website
• “Forward Virginia” Guidelines page
• Prince William County COVID-19 page
• PWC page for Food Pantries
• Stafford County COVID-19 page

If you need constituent services, please contact our office at DelJCarrollFoy@house.virginia.gov.

Please stay safe and healthy.

Thank you,

Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy