Governor Northam announced that $22 million will be allocated to Virginia’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program. (October 23)
You can find your closest Virginia COVID-19 testing site here.
Governor Northam announced an interstate compact along with Maryland, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Ohio to expand the use of rapid antigen testing. (August 4)
ECONOMIC RESPONSE
Essential Service Designations:
Essential businesses in Virginia include “grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retailers that sell food and beverage products or pharmacy products, including dollar stores, and department stores with grocery or pharmacy operations; medical, laboratory, and vision supply retailers; electronic retailers that sell or service cell phones, computers, tablets, and other communications technology; automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers as well as automotive repair facilities; home improvement, hardware, building material, and building supply retailers; lawn and garden equipment retailers; beer, wine, and liquor stores; retail functions of gas stations and convenience stores; retail located within healthcare facilities; banks and other financial institutions with retail functions; pet and feed stores; printing and office supply stores; and laundromats and dry cleaners.” (March 23)
Labor & Workforce Guidance, Standards and Regulations:
Governor Northam announced the adoption of statewide emergency workplace safety standards that include mandates on personal protective equipment, sanitation, and social distancing. (July 15)
Virginia released reopening guidance – including “mandatory requirements” and “best practices” – for businesses based on sector. Details for each sector can be found here.
Economic Stimulus & Relief:
Governor Northam announced that an additional $524 million would beallocated to the Virginia Rent Relief Program.(February 16)
Governor Northam announced $25 million in CARES Act forMedicaid Day Support Providers. (November 9)
Governor Northam announced $60 million in CARES Act funding to support municipal utility relief. (November 9)
Governor Northam announced over $9 million in Growth & Opportunity for Virginia grants. (November 2)
Governor Northam announced $65.8 million to increase childcare access and help providers amid the pandemic. (October 21)
Governor Northam announced $73 million in CARES Act funding to provide hazard pay to home health personal care attendants who served high-risk populations during the early months of COVID-19. (October 15)
Governor Northam directed $12 million in additional CARES Act funding to Virginia’s Rent & Mortgage Relief Program. (October 7)
Governor Northam announced $30 million in CARES Act funding would be allocated to improve broadband access in underserved localities. (October 7)
Governor Northam announced that $4 million would be provided to expand Legal Services Corporation of Virginia to provide services fortenants facing eviction. (August 31)
Governor Northam announced funding for 18 community development projects across Virginia to support economic recovery efforts. (August 11)
Business Support & Resources:
Governor Northam announced that Virginia will use $3 million in CARES Act dollars to reimburse members of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics(VAFCC) for clinics’ COVID-19 expenses, including personal protective equipment, sanitation measures, telehealth, and hiring new staff. (October 23)
Governor Northam announced that Rebuild VA, the $70 million economic recovery fund, is expanding its eligibility criteria to allow more small businesses to apply. (September 21)
Governor Northam announced more than $6 million to support state and local criminal justice programs. (August 31)
Governor Northam announced that a total of $200,000 will be distributed to Virginia visual artists impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (August 25)
Governor Northam announced $70 million for small businesses and non-profit organizations through the Rebuild VA economic recovery fund. (July 27)
Governor Northam announced that new recovery marketing funds are available to destination marketing organizations (DMO) across the Commonwealth that have been heavily impacted by the pandemic. (June 18)
Governor Northam launched the Virginia Artist Relief Fellowship Program, a special program focused on supporting visual artists impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (June 16)
Governor Northam announced a new way for local governments to support agriculture- and forestry-based businesses during the COVID-19 emergency through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund Planning Grant program. (June 11)
Governor Northam announced a diverse group of leaders joining the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Business Task Force, which will be tasked with providing advice and guidance to the Cabinet on a safe, responsible strategy for reopening. (April 24)
Governor Northam proposed an increase to minimum wage and the creation of a work-sharing program to support workers impacted by COVID-19. (April 12)
SOCIAL RESTRICTIONS
Reopening:
Washington published a public transportation safety guide, which can be found here.
On July 12, the Washington Liquor & Cannabis Board will launch “Joints for Jabs,” which will provide one pre-rolled cannabis joint to vaccinated adults 21 years of age and older. (June 9)
The Washington State Department of Health launched a new mobile vaccine service called “Care-A-Van” that will deliver vaccines to communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. (June 2)
Governor Inslee has issued the Safe Workers Proclamation to protect workers who are getting vaccinated, in quarantine, or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms from adverse actions from employers. (May 22)
The Washington State Department of Health announced that all counties had moved into Phase 3 of Governor Inslee’s Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery phased reopening plan. (May 18)
Governor Inslee announced the state would reopen on June 30. (May 14)
Governor Inslee announced a two-week pause on Washington’s recovery plan, under which every county would remain in its current phase. (May 4)
Beginning April 15, all residents 16 years of age or older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. (March 31)
On March 31, Washington will open COVID-19 vaccine appointments for: anyone with two or more comorbidities; anyone between the ages of 60 and 64; anyone living in congregate settings, such as correctional facilities, group homes for those with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness; and any additional workers in congregate settings, including restaurants and food service workers, manufacturing, and construction. (March 22)
All counties in Washington will move to Phase 3 of the state’s “Healthy Washington” reopening plan on March 22. Indoor spaces, like restaurants and movie theaters, would be allowed to open at 50 percent occupancy. Up to 400 people would be allowed to attend indoor and outdoor activities, such as concerts and high school graduations, as long as physical distancing and masking is enforced. (March 15)
Governor Inslee released a new projected vaccination timeline for the state: On March 22, select critical workers and persons 16 years of age and older who are pregnant or have a disability will be eligible for vaccination; On April 12, persons 50 years of age and older with two or more preexisting conditions will be eligible for the vaccine; On April 26, persons 16 years of age and older with two or more preexisting conditions and people living in homelessness or congregate settings will be eligible for the vaccine. (March 4)
Emergency telehealth coverage in Washington has been extended to March 7. (February 5)
Governor Inslee announced that people receiving extended foster care services would not age out at 21 years of age during the pandemic. (January 29)
Washington will receive a 16% increase in its vaccine supply from the federal government over the next three weeks. (January 26)
Governor Inslee announced that Washington had partnered with Starbucks to streamline the COVID-19 vaccine distribution process, aiming to administer 45,000 vaccines per day. (January 18)
Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended an emergency order that required the coverage of telehealth to February 7. (January 8)
Governor Inslee announced that Washington will begin Stage 1B of the state’s vaccination distribution plan, which would prioritize vaccinating individuals age 70 or older and individuals age 50 or above who live in multi-generational households. (January 7)
Washington was expected to get its first 62,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine the week of December 14, and a total of 222,000 vaccines by the end of the month. (December 14)
Governor Inslee extended the current social restrictions on social gatherings through January 4. (December 8)
Governor Inslee announced a four-week statewide set of restrictions in response to a recent rapid spread of COVID-19 in Washington. (November 15)
Governor Inslee asked Washingtonians to cancel multihousehold plans, including Thanksgiving and other holiday gatherings, due to rising rates of COVID-19 infections. (November 12)
Governor Inslee announced updated guidance for religious and faith-based organizations. (October 21)
Governor Inslee announced updates to the Safe Start reopening plan, including guidance on libraries, youth/adult sports, movie theaters, restaurants, and more. (October 6)
Governor Inslee announced new standards for airports in Washington. (September 24)
Governor Inslee announced updated guidance for venues, including convention and conference centers, designated meeting spaces in hotels, events centers, and other similar venues. (September 22)
Governor Inslee announced updated guidance for agritourism. (September 21)
Governor Inslee announced updated guidance for weddings and funerals. (September 16)
Governor Inslee announced updated guidance for indoor fitness and training facilities that would allow certain facilities to reopen with limited occupancy and social distancing. (September 11)
Governor Inslee announced a statewide mandatory face covering order that took effect June 26. (June 23)
SCHOOL PLANNING
K-12:
The superintendent of Arlington Public Schools will reportedly propose a postponed, virtual-only start to the school year. (July 14)
Governor Northam announced a phased approach that allows Virginia schools to slowly resume in-person classes for summer school and the coming academic year. (June 9)
State Higher Education:
A list of Virginia universities and colleges that planned to reopen in the fall can be found here.
The University of Virginia will require students who live, learn, or work on campus to be vaccinated. (May 20)
The University of Virginia announced it would cancel in-person graduation for the class of 2021. (March 4)
Governor Northam announced $22 million in CARES Act funding to support Virginia’s private institutions of higher education. (November 9)
Governor Northam announced a new allocation of more than $116 million in CARES Act funding to support higher education institutions. (October 27)
Governor Northam issued guidance for Virginia public and private higher education institutions as they develop plans to safely reopen their campuses and resume in-person instruction. (June 11)
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