Fredericksburg Issues Coronavirus Rules For Restaurants, Centers

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The City of Fredericksburg issued emergency regulations for restaurants and gathering places Tuesday following Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's announcement earlier in the day that he was limiting gatherings to 10 people or less in all settings. The emergency regulations are scheduled to last through March 31.

Dining at all restaurants, coffee shops, cafeterias and other eating establishments will be limited to no more than 10 people, according to the emergency regulation. People must be seated and separated at a distance of at least six feet apart in accordance with the social distancing recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The emergency regulation also states that all indoor concerts and conferences as well as all social, community and sporting events with more than 10 people are prohibited through March 31.

“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,” Fredericksburg City Manager Timothy J. Baroody said in a statement.

The Fredericksburg City School is scheduled to hold a special session next Monday in part to confirm the local declaration of emergency.

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“The key to preventing the rapid spread of this disease is the phenomenon of ‘flattening the curve,'" Dr. Mike McDermott, president and CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare, said Tuesday in a statement. "We must act to slow the spread of this virus to keep the health care system from being overwhelmed."

The City’s Economic Development Authority will be working to develop plans to assist small businesses. The Fredericksburg City Council also will be reviewing measures to help small businesses in the city.

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