Fredericksburg Police Ready To Enforce Coronavirus Restrictions

FREDERICSKBURG, VA — The City of Fredericksburg is withdrawing its emergency order at midnight Tuesday, the time when Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's more restrictive executive order for businesses and residents takes effect. The new state restrictions will impact almost every businesses in the Fredericksburg area, forcing some of them to shut down during the coronavirus crisis.

Fredericksburg declared a state of emergency on March 16 in response to growing concerns surrounding the spread of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19. A state of emegency gave the city government the ability to use its full powers to deal with emergencies.

When Northam's executive order takes effect at midnight Tuesday, the city's emergency order "has effectively been superceded as all elements of the city's order now have corresponding state regulations that are more restrictive," Fredericksburg City Manager Tim Baroody said Tuesday in a video statement.

Baroody encouraged residents to continue ordering carryout or delivery from restaurants and breweries, purchasing gift cards and shopping online locally. "But at the same time, please know that our police department will be working to enforce these new state restrictions," Baroody said.

Diane Beyer, director of public works for the city, said there will be no change to trash and recycling pickups. But given the reduced staffing due to employees taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from the coronavirus, trucks may not arrive to pick up trash and recycling at the usual time, she said.

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Residents are being asked to practice social distancing around city work crews. "They have families and co-workers they need to consider as well, and if they know you will respect them in this way, it will lessen the stress levels they are working under right now," Beyer said.

As of noon Tuesday, Virginia had 290 presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus, with 45 of those people hospitalized and seven deaths. In the Fredericksburg area, there are eight positive cases between Spotsylvania and Stafford. There have been no positive cases in Fredericksburg.

The city also encouraged residents to assist others during the crisis by volunteering. Residents can volunteer with many organizations in the area, including the Thurman Brisben Center, Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank and Mary Washington Healthcare, by using a Rappahannock United Way website feature for volunteeers.

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