(Updated at 11 a.m.) While sitting a safe distance away from each other, members of the Arlington County Board voted 4-0 to approve a declaration of local emergency this morning, amid the coronavirus outbreak.
County Manager Mark Schwartz signed the declaration of emergency at 7 p.m. Friday. He said the declaration will allow the county to more easily obtain state and federal funds, acquire needed goods and services, and hire staff as needed.
The county will continue to provide essential services, including emergency services, maintenance, and even permitting during the outbreak, Schwartz said. There will be more changes put in place soon, however.
“We know that these new measures are an inconvenience, but we believe that these changes to county government are Arlington’s best chance of slowing this virus,” said County Board member Katie Cristol.
Arlington is continuing to encourage residents to practice social distancing — avoiding crowds and staying at least six feet apart from each other to prevent the spread of disease — County Board members said in a pre-recorded video, played at the Board’s special meeting Saturday morning.
As of Friday afternoon, all Dept. of Parks and Recreation programs were cancelled. All libraries are closed this weekend, though Central Library and the Columbia Pike branch library plan to reopen on Monday, while others remain closed. Schools are now closed through mid-April.
Schwartz said on Monday a new list of hours and operational changes for county facilities will be posted on the county’s website.
“I hope everyone pays attention to the social distancing, washes your hands, wipes down surfaces — this is going to be with us for awhile,” Garvey said, wrapping up the brief meeting. “Your local government has been working flat out for weeks now. We’re going to continue to do so. Please be safe and gentle with each other.”
At last count, there were five confirmed cases of coronavirus, or COVID-19, in Arlington.
Large crowds of shoppers and empty shelves, meanwhile, continue to be reported at stores in Arlington.
Costco in Arlington, VA @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/uiBMTX652L
— Shauna (@smariawalker) March 14, 2020
@ARLnowDOTcom the #PentagonCity @WholeFoods was full of bare shelves again on Friday, including the frozen pizza. #panicbuying continues pic.twitter.com/lzQQljyMdf
— SpartanMSU (@SpartanMSU) March 14, 2020
The #FoodCrisisArlington sees #TraderJoe’s bread section stripped clean – maybe a few bagels hanging around. @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/IqQTUBBhU2
— Russell Imrie (@tweedyBard) March 13, 2020