Large gatherings banned; libraries, RECenters, and senior centers closed

Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Virginia in response to the continued spread of  COVID-19 on March 12.

Updated: 3/15, 9 p.m. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on March 15 announced a statewide ban on all events with more than 100 people. “If you are planning an event with several people, you should cancel it, period,” Northam said during a conference call Sunday afternoon.

To help slow the spread of coronavirus, Northam urged residents to avoid bars, restaurants, churches, and any other social gathering and to stay home as much as possible.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention subsequently recommended that events with more than 50 people anywhere in the U.S. should be canceled for the next eight weeks.

In other coronavirus news, Fairfax County announced all libraries, and park facilities will be closed for two weeks, beginning March 16. That includes RECenters, nature centers, community centers, golf courses, historic sites, athletic fields, and picnic shelters. Parks and trails remain open.

Some of these facilities will be used as meal distribution centers to serve the community as needed. As the coronavirus situation continues to unfold, the status of these facilities will be re-evaluated.

Related story: FCPS closes schools until further notice, expands meal distribution to 18 locations

The county had previously said all senior centers and adult day healthcare centers are closed until further notice. Beginning March 16, the county will deliver meals to registered participants.

So far 45, Virginians have tested positive for coronavirus, including a Virginia Department of Emergency Management employee. There are 10 cases in Fairfax County, eight in Arlington County, five in Loudoun County, and three in Prince William County.

Related story: Health Department announces four new coronavirus cases, including a teacher

The City of Alexandria announced its second coronavirus case March 15. The resident who tested positive attended a conference in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 25 and came in close contact with an individual later confirmed to have COVID-19. The Alexandria resident immediately departed for international travel and began to feel unwell during the trip. After returning home on March 6, the resident was tested, admitted to and was released from Inova Alexandria Hospital, and remains self-quarantined at home.

Among other closings:

• The AARP TaxAide program at the Mason Government Center and other sites has been suspended indefinitely. 
• The ACCA Child Development Center will be closed March 16 and 17. During that time, the Annandale Christian Community for Action will determine whether the CDC will remain closed or  partially open, under limited conditions. 
• The Fairfax County General District Court will not be in session March 16, except for certain functions.
• The District of Columbia Department of Health issued a notice banning mass gatherings. Restaurants and bars must prohibit more than 250 people in their space at the same time, suspend bar seating, suspend service to standing patrons, limit table seating to no more than six people, and ensure that tables and booths are at least six feet from one another. 
• Chef José Andrés, the owner of Jaleo, Oyamel, Zaytinya, and other restaurants and the founder of the nonprofit World Central Kitchen, is closing his restaurants until further notice. Some locations will become community kitchens to provide food for those in need. 
• Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has ordered the closure of all casinos and racetracks, including MGM National Harbor. 

In accordance with Virginia’s statewide ban on large gatherings, the Fairfax County Health Department issued a policy guidance on March 15 stating, “While gatherings with fewer than 100 people may continue, there is no threshold below which an event can be deemed completely risk free.”

The guidance urges people to consider canceling an event with fewer than 100 people if it is likely to draw people traveling from other countries or other parts of the U.S. or a significant number of high-risk individuals, such as older adults, people with chronic diseases or immunocompromising conditions, and pregnant women.

If an event is held, the notice urges organizers to take steps to reduce the risk to participants, such as engaging a larger venue to promote social distancing, urging sick people to stay away, providing plenty of hand sanitizers, cleaning frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and stair rails, and maintaining a list of participants with their contact numbers.

Gov. Northam’s March 12 declaration of a state of emergency has triggered Virginia’s anti-price gouging statute. This prohibits a supplier from charging “unconscionable prices” for necessary goods and services during the following 30 days. Violations should be reported to the Office of the Attorney General, 800-552-9963.

Verizon, Comcast, and Cox have pledged to keep customers connected for the next 60 days and not terminate services to any residential customer or small business that are unable to pay their bills. Washington Gas will waive late fees and suspend disconnections.