NEWSLETTER

APRIL 23, 2021

Neighbors, 

Thank you to everyone who joined my virtual Earth Day Town Hall! We have made strides in Virginia to make renewable energy more accessible, protect access to clean air and water, preserve biodiversity, and restore the Chesapeake Bay. However, we need to continue protecting our planet for future generations.

We had a great discussion with the League of Conservation Voters, Mason Neck State Park, Mason Neck State Park Friends Association, NOVA Parks, and the US Bureau of Land Management about our legislative work and how to enjoy and preserve the incredible green spaces that are in the 42nd District.

In this newsletter, I have included information on:

  • Updated Virginia COVID-19 Mitigation Measures

  • Reminder of Fairfax County COVID-19 Vaccination Process

As always, let me know if you have questions or need assistance by calling my office at (804) 698-1042 or emailing me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov. 

Best, Kathy

Delegate, 42nd District 

Updated Virginia COVID-19 Mitigation Measures 

Governor Northam is updating some of Virginia’s mitigation measures. More than half of all Virginia adults have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and the state’s cases are substantially lower than earlier this year. Below is a highlight of the updates that will go into effect on May 15th - You can read the full changes here. 

  • Social gatherings: The maximum number of individuals that will be allowed in a social gathering w​ill increase to 100 people for indoor settings and 250 people for outdoor settings.

  • Restaurants, Dining Establishments, Food Courts, Breweries, Microbreweries, Distilleries, Wineries, and Tasting Rooms: Private bookings will increase to 100 people indoors and 250 people outdoors, and other applicable restrictions.

  • Fitness and Exercise Facilities: Indoor group exercise and fitness classes will increase to 100 people or 75 percent of capacity, whichever is less. Outdoor group exercise and fitness classes are limited to 250 people.

  • Personal Care and Grooming Services: Private bookings are limited to 100 people indoors and 250 people outdoors, and other applicable restrictions.

  • Entertainment venues: Indoor entertainment and public amusement venues will increase to 1,000 people or 50 percent of capacity, whichever is less. Outdoor venues are limited to 50 percent capacity. Private bookings at these venues will increase to 100 people indoors and 250 people outdoors, with other applicable restrictions.

  • Recreational sporting events: The number of spectators allowed at indoor recreational sporting events will increase to 250 spectators or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less, per field. Outdoor recreational sporting events will increase to 1,000 people or 50 percent capacity, whichever is less.

  • Alcohol sales: Restaurants may sell alcohol after midnight, and dining rooms may remain open between midnight and 5:00 a.m.

  • Religious Services: religious services may have more than 100 individuals indoors or 250 individuals outdoors if certain safety practices are in place, such as social distancing, wearing of masks, and increased hygiene practices.

Additionally, Governor Northam announced other changes earlier this week that were effective immediately. I’ve included a highlight below; you can see the full changes here and here.

  • Recreational Sports - Races or Marathons: Indoor races must stagger starts and separate runners into groups of 50 or less. Outdoor races, such as cross country races, may include no more than 100 runners per grouping. I worked with constituents to help advance the changes for cross country races ahead of the VHSL championships, and I am very pleased that the Governor took this into consideration and provided updated guidance.

  • Public/Community Pools: Indoor and outdoor pools may open with certain restrictions, including limiting occupancy to 75 percent of capacity; seating on pool decks must be six feet apart for those who are not family; swimmers must maintain 10 feet of distance between non-family while in the pool.

Reminder Fairfax County COVID-19 Vaccination Process 

  • Since April 18, all Fairfax County residents ages 16 and older can search for and make a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at a nearby site through www.VaccineFinder.org.

  • Note, this is an updated process for Fairfax Health District. Previously, under Phase 1a, Phase 1b, and Phase 1c, Fairfax residents registered through the County portal. The Fairfax County Health Department will continue to reach out and make appointments for those individuals currently on the waitlist.

  • It will take a little bit of time for the County’s vaccination sites to be uploaded onto the VaccineFinder page; however, you would be able to identify vaccination opportunities at retail pharmacy chains.

  • For more information, please see the County’s news release here.