Updates
James City County’s County Administrator, Scott Stevens and Financial and Management Director, Sharon Day discuss the Proposed Budget on This Week in James City County. Check it out and let us know what you think! https://youtu.be/fcNMcuJwpug
Scams
Remember, the federal government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get a legitimate benefit. Neither the IRS nor the Dept. of Treasury will contact you requesting personal/financial information or payment in exchange for a benefit. There are no fees and no charges associated with legitimate benefits. Anyone who asks for an up-front payment or personal/financial information to receive your stimulus check or another federal benefit is a scammer. https://jamescitycountyva.gov/3761/Scams
DMV
As a reminder, driver’s licenses & IDs expiring March 15-May 15 and vehicle registrations expiring in March and April are extended 60 days. www.dmv.virginia.gov
Business Updates
Reminder: Survey responses are due tomorrow. The Greater Williamsburg Business Council and Greater Williamsburg Partnership in collaboration with Hampton Roads leading business organizations encourages you to take the 757 COVID-19 Business Leader Survey. https://sirresearch.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5BxMmLcWytM4Zdb
County businesses who have pivoted and transitioned to support the community during the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to contact Office of Economic Development staff with information about their efforts: 757-253-6607 or laura.messer@jamescitycountyva.gov. Read what some businesses have done to help on the Economic Development website: https://www.yesjamescitycountyva.com.
Business owners are encouraged to sign up for the Economic Development Emergency Information newsletter. Subscribe online: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/list.aspx?ListID=356. You can view the April 9 news online: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/CivicSend/ViewMessage/message/109306.
For more information for businesses, please visit https://www.yesjamescitycountyva.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3751
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Staying home can feel isolating. Rather than focus on what you’re missing out on, try to find the Joy of Joining In while physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some ways you and your family can make the best of a bad situation: https://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2020/03/physical-distancing/?platform=hootsuite
Older adults are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. If you or those you care for are at higher risk for severe illness, you should:
- Stay at home if possible
- Keep away from others who are sick
- Limit close contact with others
- Wash your hands often
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html
Cancellations
April 13 Planning Commission Working Group meeting
April 16 Policy Committee meeting
April 23 Agricultural and Forestal District Advisory Committee meeting
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
Virginia Department of Health
COVID-19 is a new virus and we are learning as much as we can about it every day. Considering the growing evidence of asymptomatic persons carrying the virus, it’s wise to take additional precautions. Wearing a non-surgical mask could help prevent a sick person, exhibiting no symptoms, from accidentally infecting others. VDH continues to urge all citizens to heed Governor Northam’s stay at home order and to practice social distancing (staying 6 feet apart from others) during any essential trip outside of the home. Read more about CDC’s guidance on wearing non-surgical masks: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html
Scott Stevens, County Administrator for James City County; Andrew Trivette, City Manager for Williamsburg; and Neil Morgan, County Administrator for York County met with Dr. Steve Julian from the Peninsula Health District on April 7. Using questions provided by citizens, the 35 minute conversation covered testing, tracing, information sharing and more. https://youtu.be/U-HMrA4-lwg
Previously Released Information
Governor Ralph Northam issued a statewide Stay at Home order on March 30 to protect the health and safety of Virginians and mitigate the spread of the novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19. The executive order takes effect immediately and will remain in place until June 10, 2020, unless amended or rescinded by a further executive order.
Link to full release: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2020/march/headline-855702-en.html
Link to Executive Order Fifty-Five: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/executive-actions/EO-55-Temporary-Stay-at-Home-Order-Due-to-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19).pdf
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: To slow the spread of COVID-19, stay at home except to get groceries, medications or other essentials. Avoid outings you don’t have to take. Visit the FAQ for more tips: https://bit.ly/2UbVHEZ
Child Care for Essential Personnel
With the recent long-term closures of the public schools, many families who work in the medical field and other essential jobs in the community must find child care for their children. There are a large number of child care centers currently open and ready to enroll children of these essential personnel. Child Care Aware of Virginia has the most up-to-date information about the child care options in the region. Essential employees in need of child care can call 1-866-KIDS TLC (1-866-543-7852) for assistance. Full news release: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=3786
Community Resources
Williamsburg Community Health Foundation has a great resource for anyone looking for community resources in the area: https://williamsburghealthfoundation.org/2020/03/26/basic-needs-assistance-in-greater-williamsburg/
Questions About Medicaid?
Virginia Medicaid is taking steps to improve access to care for Medicaid and FAMIS members. https://coverva.org/covid19/
Library Mobile Hotspots
Williamsburg Regional Library has purchased additional WiFi hotspots, each of which allows for 15 simultaneous connections and will be deployed to various locations around the Williamsburg area for set time periods beginning this week. Library staff will use the Mobile Library Services vehicles to take the hotspots to parking lots and neighborhoods where users can drive up, park, and take advantage of free internet access from the comfort and safety of their own cars.
The library has also set up several long-term WiFi hotspot locations where users can park and access WiFi from their cars 24/7. In the case of both the long-term and rotating WiFi access points, the internet signal put out by the hotspots will be sufficiently strong to be projected 30-foot distance around the MLS vehicle and to be used by up to 15 devices simultaneously. It is not necessary to have a library card to access any of the hotspots. www.wrl.org/hotspots
Please Don’t Litter
Just a friendly reminder to properly dispose of masks and gloves you may be wearing in public. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirator-use-faq.html
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
While social distancing for COVID-19, take the time to check in on friends and family to see how they are doing. Set up a daily phone or video call to touch base and share the best and most challenging parts of the day.
Need help or know someone who does?
Contact the Disaster Distress Helpline or call 1-800-985-5990
Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
County Offices and Services
As announced on March 23, all James City County offices, facilities, public basketball courts, tennis courts, pickleball courts, volleyball courts, sports courts, athletic fields, playgrounds, skate park and recreation centers and libraries are closed to the public until further notice. This includes any courts at local schools. The County continues to provide most services and staff are available for assistance by phone or email. Visit https://jamescitycountyva.gov for more information on individual departments and services.
All County parks continue to be open; however, all restrooms in County Parks are closed. The Chickahominy Riverfront Park Campground and restrooms will close on Friday, March 27 and will remain closed until further notice. In accordance with federal guidelines to curb and mitigate the spread of Coronavirus, or COVID-19, gatherings of 10 or more people in any park area will be asked to separate or leave the facilities.
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
- World Health Organization (WHO): www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus2019
- FEMA Rumor Control: www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control
Media Contact:
Renee Dallman, Public Information Officer
757-272-3337; renee.dallman@jamescitycountyva.gov