COVID-19 Declaration Of Local Emergency Canceled By Fairfax Board

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously at its meeting on Tuesday to end the declaration of local emergency enacted nearly three years ago to stop the spread of COVID-19.

"I move approval of the county executive's recommendation of the attached resolution to terminate the declaration of local emergency effective March 1, 2023, and to approve and consent to all actions taken by the director of emergency management and county staff pursuant to the declaration of local emergency and the Fairfax County Emergency Operations Plan," Chairman Jeff McKay said, introducing the motion.

The board originally declared the state of emergency at its March 17, 2020 meeting, which allowed the county to apply for federal funds and take actions necessary to protect the health of Fairfax County residents.

"This is a milestone," McKay said. "We would not be here without the work of so many people in our county. We've recognized our nonprofits, our county staff, really the diligence of our community during some really difficult times. And so, it's great that we're able to do this."

McKay went onto thank county staff and the Office of Public Affairs in crafting its messaging around the cancelation, which will have an impact on residents, businesses and nonprofits across the community.

"Technically, the county could've canceled the state of emergency earlier, but we would've forfeited a lot of flexibility and collecting federal funds and other strategic advantages we had by operating under declaration and so it's nice to get back to normal. The plexiglass is down here."

The declaration of local emergency proved to be a valuable tool for the county throughout the pandemic, according to County Executive Bryan J. Hill.

"It gave us greater flexibility and authority to purchase supplies, find resources, move to virtual operations and meetings, support the business community, and protect the health and safety of our community,” Hill said, in a release. “I commend our employees who have done an impressive job of reinventing how we deliver services to Fairfax County residents. The declaration is no longer needed at this juncture due to many factors.”

Even with the declaration of local emergency ending on March 1, many measures put into effect during the pandemic will continue. The county's health department will still share important information about COVID-19 on its website and social media.

Restaurants and exercise facilities that were allowed to operate outside in parking lots during the pandemic can continue operating outside for 12 months after the declaration ends. However, they will need additional county approvals beginning on March 1, 2024.