Tag: state government
Virginia ramps up coronavirus testing
Test samples are analyzed at a GENETWORx, a private lab in the Richmond area. [Richmond Times-Dispatch] While Virginia ranked close the bottom of states in terms of how many COVID-19 tests are being done, state health officials say they have greatly ramped up testing capacity in the past few weeks. While only 2,000 to 3,000 … Continued
Health experts call for aggressive actions to halt COVID
Hundreds of scientists and health experts are urging Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam to take more aggressive action to stamp out coronavirus. An open letter to Northam calls for the following “low-cost, high-impact actions to zero out COVID-19 in Virginia”: Empower local governments Maximize social distancing Require mask usage Deploy approaches that have worked elsewhere to … Continued
Long list of new laws signed by Northam
Northam Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed dozens of bills into law in recent days, on criminal justice, marijuana decriminalization, voting, energy, Confederate monuments, discrimination, clean energy, workers’ rights, and more. The bills take effect July 1. The General Assembly plans to reconvene on April 22 to consider Northam’s amendments to some of the bills. Northam … Continued
Historic gun safety legislation enacted in Virginia
Members of Moms Demand Action (right) watch the General Assembly consider gun legislation in January. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law several bills passed by the General Assembly aimed at reducing gun violence, including the following: Senate bill 70 (incorporating House bill 2) requires background checks for all firearm sales and transfers, including those … Continued
Virginia repeals overly restrictive abortion rules
Tarina Keane, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice VA, speaks in January in support of legislation to overturn restrictive anti-abortion laws. Legislation enacted in Virginia, signed by Gov. Ralph Northam April 9, repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on women’s reproductive health. Senate Bill 733 and House Bill 980 eliminate the requirement of an ultrasound and a mandatory … Continued
Dulles Expo Center to be transformed to a medical facility to handle COVID-19 patients
Gov. Ralph Northam tries on a face mask made by a Department of Corrections inmate. Construction will begin this week on three temporary alternative medical sites to handle the overflow of COVID-19 cases in Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam announced April 6. One of those sites, at the Dulles Expo Center can accommodate 315 acute or … Continued
All Fairfax County parks closing, trails to remain open
Families enjoy a sunny day at Green Spring Gardens March 22. Updated 6:30 p.m.: The Fairfax County Park Authority is closing all parks, as of midnight, March 24, in order to comply with Gov. Ralph Northam’s executive order on closing recreational facilities to slow the spread of coronavirus by requiring social distancing. Park Authority closures … Continued
Northam executive order lists businesseses that must close
Like all restaurants statewide, Super Pollo at Barcroft Plaza, can provide takeout meals only. An executive order issued by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam March 23 lists the types of businesses that must close and those that can stay open under restricted circumstances. Executive Order 53, aimed at reducing the spread of coronavirus, also bans gatherings … Continued
Gov. Northam announces more restrictions in face of COVID-19 emergency
Metro ridership is way down, as WMATA announces more service cuts. [WTOP] Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced more restrictions March 23 aimed at flattening the curve of new coronavirus cases. All schools statewide will remain closed at least through the end of the academic year. Gatherings of 10 people or more are banned. Northam signed … Continued
Beer and wine takeout now available
Sign spotted in Annandale. Virginia now allows restaurants to provide beer and wine to takeout customers, Gov. Ralph Northam announced during his daily coronavirus briefing on March 20. Restaurants statewide are required to limit occupancy to no more than 10 people at a time and are encouraged to offer takeout and delivery options instead of … Continued
Lt. Gov. urges bolder state action on coronavirus
Fairfax Virginia is not doing enough to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax charges. Fairfax urges Gov. Ralph Northam to “implement much bolder and swifter measures to flatten the curve and combat this unprecedented health and, consequently, economic threat.” Here are Fairfax’s recommendations: Join Maryland and the District of Columbia … Continued
More coronavirus cases in Northern Virginia, Metro announces cutbacks
The most recent coronavirus cases in Northern Virginia involve a nursing home resident in Falls Church, a female in her 60s in Fairfax County who was exposed during travel in Iran, and a female in her 30s in Fairfax County whose situation is under investigation. A resident of the Kensington, an assisted living and memory … Continued
Virginia enforces social isolation requirement
The Annandale Burger King is offering take-out service only. Virginia Ralph Northam and state Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver issued a public health emergency order that gives local and state law enforcement agencies the power to enforce the ban prohibiting more than 10 patrons in restaurants, fitness centers, and theaters. On March 17, Northam called … Continued
Northam shuts down DMV offices
Gov. Northam speaks at a news briefing March 17. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has closed all DMV offices statewide in response to the coronavirus pandemic. For anyone whose licenses and registrations expire on May 15, the state will grant a 15-day extension. Online services are still available. Speaking at a news conference March 17, Northam … Continued
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 … Continued