Dog parks, basketball courts and volleyball courts will reopen Friday, along with gyms and restaurant dining rooms.
Arlington County announced that it was reopening the additional park facilities as Northern Virginia enters Phase 2 of the reopening. The county previously reopened athletic fields, batting cages, tennis courts, tracks and picnic shelters last Friday.
Arlington Public Library, meanwhile, will offer book returns and pickup service at Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street) starting Monday, June 15.
Under state guidelines, the Phase 2 reopening will allow restaurants to open indoor areas at 50% capacity and indoor gyms to open at 30% capacity. Social gatherings of up to 50 people will now be permitted.
In a press release about the reopening today, Arlington County encouraged residents to continue taking safety precautions to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.
“Arlington 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 county said.
The press release also contained a gentle reminder that parking restrictions were never lifted during the pandemic.
“The public is reminded that parking meters are being enforced,” the county said. “Motorists should be particularly mindful of posted signage in commercial areas as businesses are beginning to reopen.”
More from Arlington County, below.
Arlington County, along with other localities in Northern Virginia, is transitioning to Phase 2 of the Forward Virginia plan on Friday, June 12.
In his COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday, June 9, Governor Ralph Northam indicated “the metrics from [Arlington County] look positive,” and amended Executive Order Sixty-Five, allowing Arlington to enter Phase 2 of reopening.
Under Phase 2, Arlington 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.
Parks Opening Dog Parks and Basketball Courts
Following the many park amenities Arlington reopened on June 5, the County is reopening its dog parks, basketball courts and volleyball courts on Friday, June 12, for people who practice social distancing and follow posted guidelines. Specific details and guidelines will be posted on the Parks pages.
Arlington Public Library Provides Holds Pickup Service Starting June 15
Starting June 15, Arlington Public Library will accept book returns at all branches and offer a materials pickup service at Central Library to patrons who have a hold which is currently ready. All branch locations will remain closed at this time. The new hours for the materials pickup service at Central Library are:
- Monday through Thursday, 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Friday through Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Starting June 18, new holds may be placed online in the Library catalog and app. Patrons who do not have online access may place holds by calling 703-228-5990. More info is available on the Library website.
Highlights of the Governor’s Forward Virginia Phase 2 – Effective June 12
- Maximum number of individuals permitted in a social gathering will increase from 10 to 50 people
- Restaurant and beverage establishments may offer indoor dining at 50 percent occupancy with at least six feet of spacing between tables, among other strict requirements.
- Gyms and fitness centers may open indoor areas at 30 percent occupancy with at least 10 feet of spacing between individuals, and certain recreation and entertainment venues without shared equipment may open with restrictions.
- Swimming pools may expand operations to both indoor and outdoor exercise, diving, and swim instruction.
- Farmers markets may operate as long as six feet of separation can be maintained between guests (including between tables and persons on public sidewalks).
- Non-essential retail may operate at 50 percent occupancy load.
- Personal care and personal grooming services may operate at 50% occupancy load by appointment only, with no more than two clients per service provider.
- The current guidelines for religious services, non-essential retail, and personal grooming services will largely remain the same in Phase 2.
Indoor sporting venues, performing arts venues, concert venues, movie theaters, bowling and overnight summer camps are among the businesses that must remain closed to the public in Phase 2.
See the Phase 2 guidelines for specific sectors, along with answers to frequently asked questions.
The public is reminded that parking meters are being enforced. Motorists should be particularly mindful of posted signage in commercial areas as businesses are beginning to reopen.
Governor Northam also announced on June 9 a phased approach that allows Virginia schools to slowly resume in-person classes for summer school and the coming academic year.