Health & Fitness

Coronavirus: Fredericksburg City Manager Issues COVID-19 Emergency Order

City Manager Timothy J. Baroody has issued emergency regulations for restaurants and gatherings.

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From the City of Fredericksburg:

March 16, 2020

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - Emergency Order #1

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City Manager issues Emergency Order #1 in Response to COVID-19

Specific to Restaurants and Gatherings

(Fredericksburg, VA) March 17, 2020 - As the first formal Emergency Order of the City of Fredericksburg’s Declaration of Local Emergency, the City Manager is issuing emergency regulations for restaurants and gatherings.

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Governor Northam today announced additional direction in limiting gatherings to 10 people or less in all settings. This is in line with yesterday’s published guidance from President Trump, and is consistent with guidance from Mary Washington Healthcare and the Rappahannock Health District’s Acting Director Dr. Denise Bonds. With this in mind, the City Manager is enacting the attached measures effective today at 5:00 p.m., March 17, 2020, through Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

As Dr. McDermott, CEO Mary Washington Healthcare, stated, “The key to preventing the rapid spread of this disease is the phenomenon of ‘flattening the curve’.” We must act to slow the spread of this virus to keep the health care system from being overwhelmed. We appreciate our community’s understanding of these actions as we assist in making that happen.

“We know that this action will bring additional hardships in our community. But acting tomorrow is not an option. As the major gathering place in our region, the City of Fredericksburg must do its part to slow the spread of COVID-19 - a virus we already know is here. I deeply regret that this action must be taken and know that it will have a major impact on our amazing business community, but I do ask for understanding as we work around the clock to keep our residents and community safe,” stated City Manager Timothy J. Baroody.

The City’s Economic Development Authority will be working to develop plans to assist small businesses, and they will be supported in these efforts by City Council. More aggressive measures may be forthcoming.

Attachments:

Community Update from City Manager Timothy J. Baroody

Status of COVID-19 Emergency Planning in the City of Fredericksburg

(Fredericksburg, VA) March 16, 2020 - I would like to update you on matters related to the City of Fredericksburg’s local government and our continued emergency planning for the COVID-19 virus outbreak. First, I wish to inform you that this morning I issued a formal Declaration of Local Emergency. It takes effect today Monday, March 16, 2020, and will need to be affirmed by City Council. This Declaration allows the City to take emergency actions to protect the public health. We have also partially activated our Emergency Operations Center with partial staffing, and are ready to go to full staffing as the need may arise.

Dr. McDermott, President and CEO of Mary Washington Hospital stated today that, “The key to preventing the rapid spread of this disease is the phenomenon of “flattening the curve”. If we can slow the spread of COVID-19 to months rather than weeks, we can lessen the impact on the healthcare system and give precious time to treat those with moderate and severe symptoms from the virus…” Read Dr. McDermott’s full statement.

You have heard it said that extraordinary times take extraordinary measures. The City of Fredericksburg is indeed taking extraordinary measures.

We have been acting for weeks on preparing for this virus, and since January 23rd have been asking for increased information from callers seeking emergency assistance from our 911 center. We have refreshed our continuity of operations plans, enhanced janitorial services and stepped up disinfecting efforts significantly in our public buildings. We have posted information to our workforce and asked them to be diligent in keeping their spaces clean and in using good hygiene practices.

Last Tuesday, after a brief to Council and our community by Deputy Fire Chief Mike Jones, City Council authorized the City Manager to implement a more liberal sick leave policy. This action allows for a city employee who is experiencing signs of COVID-19 (or it has been confirmed that they have been exposed and need to be quarantined) to not worry about leave balances and instead focus on seeking medical assistance – and NOT coming to work.

To prepare for many to call out sick, we have created a City Emergency Team. This team consists of roughly 25 professionals who have been authorized and approved to telework away from their offices to accomplish critical IT, communications, financial, and public health and safety functions. Beyond this team, we have approximately two hundred additional City employees who handle “essential functions” and they will be focused on maintaining order, public health, tax assessment and collection, water and sewer infrastructure and trash pickup, among other critical responsibilities. Many other functions of government will soon be deemed less essential for the foreseeable future – and will be handled as our resources permit.

We will be asking Council to reserve $2 million from the City’s Fund Balance in this current year to handle potential virus related matters. We will also likely be forced to reconsider our FY 2021 budget recommendations released last week.

Yesterday Governor Northam banned all gatherings of 50 or more, and we believe that he will take bolder actions soon. Guidance from Mary Washington Healthcare leadership and Virginia’s Department of Health, implores the City and other regional localities to lead by example by taking aggressive actions now. This starts with encouraging all to stay home – and the City of Fredericksburg is doing just that with this notice. I am also formally announcing that as of close of business today City government buildings will be closed to the public. This includes our downtown Visitor’s Center, City Hall, the Executive Plaza (partial building), and Dorothy Hart Community Center. We encourage all citizens to take advantage of pay online opportunities. For now, staff will be available by phone at the regular numbers you normally use. We have eliminated all late fees through the month of April in an attempt to get ahead of issues that most certainly will arise in this shift.

We ask residents, and businesses, to be patient with us as we work to continue our services. We also strongly encourage that you walk our trails, enjoy the spring blossoms and buy gift cards and order takeout meals from our great restaurants and local businesses! They need your support now more than ever.

Moving forward you can expect daily updates to be posted on the City website at www.fredericksburgva.gov. Please also sign up for Fredericksburg alerts also located on our website.

I realize that this is an unprecedented action and we are in unprecedented times. We will be outlining and publishing essential functions and non-essential functions that are affected in this plan of action as soon as possible. This leads to many questions, and we’re working to address them all as quickly as possible.

We appreciate our community’s understanding that our actions are in the best interest of our public health. More community government actions are forthcoming.

Thank you all.

Statement from City Manager Timothy J. Baroody on the Declaration of Local Emergency for the City of Fredericksburg

(Fredericksburg, VA) March 16, 2020 - Fredericksburg prioritizes the health and well-being of citizens, visitors and City employees. With the growing concerns surrounding the spread of the coronavirus known as COVID-19, Fredericksburg today declared a local state of emergency. See the Declaration of Local Emergency for the City of Fredericksburg (PDF).

The declaration was issued as a precautionary security measure, which allows for the full powers of government to deal effectively with emergencies or hazardous weather conditions. Fredericksburg is taking appropriate action in alignment with guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to practice social distancing as part of a community mitigation strategy.

Part of those recommended strategies are:

  • All local government, businesses, community organizations and faith-based institutions are asked to reschedule or cancel meetings or gatherings involving more than 50 people for the foreseeable future.
  • Community members over age 60, with chronic medical conditions, or with compromised immune systems should avoid large gatherings of people altogether.

City of Fredericksburg will help with these strategies by:

  • Canceling all city-sponsored events and activities, including activities managed by the Parks, Recreation and Events Department effective immediately.
  • Employee work-related travel outside of the City of Fredericksburg, except for essential business, is being restricted until further notice.
  • The City is taking additional efforts to protect our employees, citizens and guests by expanding cleaning efforts for all our buildings during the day.
  • The City will implement a compassionate billing policy for all Utility customers. Until further notice no customers will have their water or sewer service cut off.
  • Individuals who dial 9-1-1 will expect to be asked additional questions as part of our Emergency Medical Dispatch procedures that have been put into place by Emergency Services. We appreciate all individuals answering those questions to the best of their ability.

Persons can do this to help with limiting the spread:

  • Stop handshaking – use other non contact methods of greeting.
  • Clean hands at the door and schedule regular hand washing reminders by email.
  • Create habits and reminders to avoid touching their faces and cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails regularly.
  • Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning.

The following OPTIONS exist for VIEW ONLY of City Council meetings

We understand these measures are unusual and inconvenient to many, but we must look out for the safety and security of our citizens, guests and employees. Some people may also be frightened or upset by the conditions in these times, but it’s critical that everyone remain calm, stay informed and follow the CDC’s safety guidelines.

Fredericksburg will continue to provide daily updates on our website www.fredericksburgva.gov as well as on the Fredericksburg account on Facebook www.facebook.com/FXBGgov.

We encourage everyone who lives, works or visits Fredericksburg on a regular basis to sign up for Fredericksburg Alert (www.fredericksburgalert.com). We use this system to communicate with both citizens and visitors during emergencies and other critical community events.

The Virginia Department of Health has established a public information line, 1-877-ASK-VDH3, for questions from residents about the novel coronavirus situation.

This is a very fluid event and we highly encourage citizens use the following trusted websites for information updates.

The City Manager will offer more information later today on additional measures being taken. Information will be available on Fredericksburgva.gov.

Update: March 15, 2020

As of this afternoon, Governor Northam has banned all gatherings of 100 people or more statewide. He is also recommending people do not frequent bars, restaurants, churches and other social gathering places and to stay home. The Governor did not call for a statewide quarantine at this time.

The Virginia Department of Health has received test results from 408 persons whom have been tested by all labs that are reporting 45 presumptive positive tests have been received. One person has died that was COVID-19 positive and was a 70 year old in the Peninsula region. Most of the positive tests are in Northern Virginia, with the next highest in the Peninsula Health District. At this time VDH is still only reporting the one case in our region from Spotsylvania.

The City of Fredericksburg Emergency Services is strongly encouraging our residents to remotely access services and use online transactions where possible. Please set up online accounts to pay bills and order services when possible. Additionally, we are asking everyone to refer to the CDC recommendations, “What every American can do to decrease the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19” which is online here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/workplace-school-and-home-guidance.pdf

Update: March 14, 2020

Our Emergency Services team continues to be in daily contact with state and local health officials. As of yesterday, March 13th there were thirty (30) presumptive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. Our immediate region still has just one case in Spotsylvania. Those who may have been in contact with the Spotsylvania coronavirus patient have been notified (read the Free Lance-Star story here).

Our City Schools are closed for the next two weeks and they are preparing for a deep clean of the school buildings during that time.

Mary Washington Healthcare as of 8pm on Sunday night will institute a “No Visitor” policy and limit the number of persons who can be with birthing moms and minors in the hospital. See the MWHC announcement video here.

We continue to encourage our residents to practice good hygiene habits recommended by the CDC and VDH. Here are some handy tips to step up our social distancing habits:

  • Stop handshaking – use other non-contact methods of greeting
  • Clean hands at the door and schedule regular hand washing reminders by email.
  • Create habits and reminders to avoid touching our faces and to cover our coughs and sneezes
  • Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, and handrails regularly
  • Increase ventilation by opening windows (if weather permits) or adjusting air conditioning
  • Promote tap-and-pay to limit cash handling.
  • Use online accounts and payment options for transacting business when possible.

A statement from Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw on the Fredericksburg Coronavirus Preparations

March 13, 2020

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. We want to assure the residents of Fredericksburg that we have formed a City staff team that is communicating with our health providers, regional stakeholders, and the leadership of our schools and institutions. We are focused on crafting contingency plans of support for our providers of services to our citizens. The City has prepared the Emergency Operations Center in case it needs to open it. The EOC will provide continuity of operations for City Government in which all departments work together to make high level decisions. Our management is weighing a possible declaration of emergency here in the City.

I applaud our local businesses and restaurants who are stepping forward and taking measures to keep their customers and employees safe. Our businesses are making deliveries available and offering to go orders, in addition to their services. Many organizations are stepping up for our community in great ways.

City Hall is open and City Hall will remain open and will be here to serve you. We are expanding our broad band capabilities and preparing telework policies for essential employees. Daily briefings to the public will be available on our website www.fredericksburgva.gov and social media accounts for FxbgGov.

The City has not closed any public facilities at this time. The Dorothy Hart Community Center and all of the City’s parks and trails are open and we encourage residents to enjoy them this weekend. According to department policy, Parks, Recreation and Events cancels all programs when City Schools are closed. As a result, all Parks, Recreation and Events programs and classes have been canceled until Sunday, March 29th. The Children’s Art Show and Youth Sports have been postponed until further notice.

The City School system is planning to implement their mobile lunch program to provide a meal a day to our communities.

The City Manager’s office is organizing a Volunteer Corps to help provide volunteers to organizations such as the Thurmon Brisben Center and Micah. It’s a group of our City Employees to serve as a contingency for the necessary services that are largely manned by volunteers in the community.

On Tuesday night, Council authorized the City Manager to craft a special Sick Leave guideline for City Employees. It is special because it applies to part time and full time staff and encourages any employees who are sick to stay home. This is a critical step in keeping infections down – STAY home if you are sick. This policy allows those without much sick leave, or no sick leave at all, to focus on health – without the jeopardizing their paycheck.

The City staff has stepped up cleaning services of public buildings. We are encouraging all staff and residents to continue to follow CDC guidelines for disease prevention and follow guidance from the Virginia Department of Health.

We will post daily updates on our website at www.Fredericksburgva.gov. For more information please feel free to call the City Manager’s office at 540-372-1010.

We are an exuberant community full of life. Spring is here and this will soon be behind us. Please know that we are fully focused on offering support to our community today and standing strong as Fredericksburg always has throughout our history.

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Deputy Fire Chief Mike Jones’ Update to Council

March 10, 2020

What do we know now?

  • Novel Coronavirus means it is a new strain we have not dealt with before. Most of the previous ones only lead to symptoms of the common cold. This new virus is known as COVID-19.
  • Fredericksburg will take a multi-layered approach
  • Aggressive actions when individual is suspected or presumed to have the coronavirus
  • Most of our preparedness will be behind-the-scenes actions

As of this morning, there are five [5] “presumptive” confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Virginia. There will be more cases identified and confirmed in Virginia. One case involves an individual from Spotsylvania. All of the cases so far have involved persons who had some type of overseas travel, especially to areas known to have outbreaks of the virus or cruise ship outbreaks. The state is awaiting results on two or more individuals who feel they may have the virus and were exposed on a cruise.

How can we Recognize Coronavirus vs. the common flu?

Recognition of 2019-COVID

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Difficult Breathing

Regular Influenza

  • Fever or feeling feverish/chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Muscle and/or body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue (tiredness)
  • Some may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults

If person is suspected or presumed to have the coronavirus or any respiratory based illness

  • Isolate that individual from others and self-quarantine the caregivers as well
  • Identify those parties at risk, from previous contact with the presumed individual
  • Monitor those who may have been exposed and potential self-quarantine of them
  • Contact your PCP or local health department and see if they recommend the individual come in to be tested.

What can we do to prevent the spread?

  • Stay home when you are sick with respiratory disease symptoms
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw it in the trash can
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol
  • Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces and objects (especially cell phone screens, TV remotes, etc.) with an appropriate disinfectant that can be used on those devices.
  • Pay attention to the CDC travel advisories and suspend non-essential travel to destinations where the risk of transmission is high
  • Travel notices on www.CDC.gov
  • Review your own preparedness
  • Make sure you have proper supplies at home
  • Thermometers
  • Cold medicines
  • Pain relievers
  • Soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizers
  • Water and fluids with electrolytes
  • Have a plan for childcare
  • Ask employer about sick leave and telecommuting policies
  • Sign up for Fredericksburg Alert

What has the City already done to be ready?

City staff has reviewed and adapted our Pandemic virus plan to meet the needs of this potential disease

A survey has been released to each department head to provide information on how their department can maintain operations with limited staffing or if all staffing needs to stay home and how that impacts City operations.

Law Enforcement and Fire/Rescue are stepping up their efforts to practice good infection control techniques and provide barriers as recommended by VDH and the CDC for their personnel whom may be exposed to individuals suspected of having signs/symptoms of the flu/coronavirus. Recommendations on how to disinfect fire and police apparatus have been put out to our personnel.

9-1-1 Center has been asking callers who are calling for themselves or loved ones who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms of any travel overseas. This has been going on since January 23, 2020. We are stepping up our efforts to notify fire/ems/police if they are responding to potential patients that may be experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Any potential patients that experience flu-like symptoms that we treat will have a surgical mask placed on them and OUR personnel will wear surgical masks as well. Any other parts of our ensemble that is exposed must be laundered upon return to the station. Each vehicle will be decontaminated with products know to kill the standard coronaviruses.

Fire/EMS has ordered N95 particulate masks as well as cartridges for the P100 masks we now have that are effective when exposed to droplet contact. We are also stocking up on surgical masks as a precaution. This is because our potential to expose with sick persons with the nature of our job.

Public Facilities is using a 2-step approach for cleaning all touchable surfaces (all restroom surfaces, door handles, hand railings, light switches, etc.). Step 1 complete clean the surfaces with CDC-approved products that are effective and some may have bleach. Step 2 is completely spray touchable surfaces with CDC-approved disinfectant products. Wiping all surfaces dry after that.

We have been in touch with City school leaders who are developing contingency plans if an outbreak should occur and the need to restrict or close schools occurs and how to clean those facilities.

If City personnel become sick, they need to notify their supervisor and stay home until the illness has passed. This would be 24-hours after no fever without the use of fever reducers/relievers. If they still have a cough, they should consult their PCP before returning to work.

If a person is known to be sick in your office, have the various surfaces wiped down with a product known to kill standard coronavirus or use a bleach solution. Work with the personnel from Public Facilities to have the proper substances used in the cleaning process. These surfaces include door knobs, handles, surfaces your hands touch often, computer keyboard, cell phones, etc.

If persons are found with the disease we may have to practice social distancing, tele-work for selected essential personnel who may have that ability and enhanced cleaning of spaces the person is known to have frequented or were large groups of persons have been.

We cannot emphasize enough that the risk to the general public is still considered LOW by both the VDH and CDC.

Practicing good hand washing techniques and common sense exposure limiting practices are still the best options to everyone

As the monitoring of individuals who tested positive for the disease continues to occur, the medical community will get a better idea of how this disease is spread and the best practices to prevent the spread and containment of the problem.

How can the Public stay up-to-date on the situation and changes in conditions?

We have created a page on our website for City Government related COVID-19 updates. For example, in case there is a change in services, it would be posted on this webpage. It can be found by visiting fredericksburgva.gov and look for it on the homepage. Citizens who wish to receive an email or text if there are updates on this page are encouraged to subscribe to our Newsflash list titled, “Fredericksburg News.”

  • FredericksburgAlert.com is our primary method of delivering timely alerts. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to FredericskburgAlert.com and look for the list located under General Community Information > City Government Closings. Anyone who has questions about subscribing to our alerts is encouraged to call the City Manager’s office at 540-372-1010 for assistance.
  • Area news outlets - Additionally, City communications staff will be sending critical information through local government access channels Cox Channel 84 and Verizon Channel 42, to our local radio stations and newspapers, and on our FxbgGov social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
  • You can access the Center for Disease Control and Prevention online at: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019
  • Or the Rappahannock Area Health District at: www.vdh.virgina.gov/Rappahannock

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Update March 4, 2020:

City of Fredericksburg Public Safety professionals are in daily communication with Virginia state officials and our local health department regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). And while the risk to Virginians remains low at this time, our City staff has been meeting about contingency plans and continuity of services in the event that circumstances may change.

Stay Updated:

Practice Prevention:

  • A reminder for good health practices to help prevent spreading illness can be found at the Virginia Department of Health website. Please see the VDH fact sheet here.
  • The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) recommends everyday preventative actions for respiratory diseases such COVID-19 on their website here.

This press release was produced by the City of Fredericksburg. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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