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County's Social Distancing Ordinance, Coronavirus App | Top News

Top VA, DC news includes school renaming consideration, sales tax holiday, error in mailing to voters, and Isaias fatality, damages.

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The Arlington County Board adopted an emergency ordinance Friday mandating physical distancing on the county's streets and sidewalks.
The Arlington County Board adopted an emergency ordinance Friday mandating physical distancing on the county's streets and sidewalks. (Rachel Nunes/Patch)

Patch has 32 sites in communities in northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. Here are some of the top posts from the past week related to the new coronavirus and other topics.

Stay 6 Feet Apart On Arlington Sidewalks Or Risk $100 Fine

In an effort to limit groups of three or more people from congregating on streets and sidewalks across the county, the Arlington County Board adopted an emergency ordinance Friday mandating that pedestrians maintain a distance of least 6 feet apart from others. Theses restrictions will be posted on Arlington's streets and sidewalks, and violators will face a traffic fine of up to $100.

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VA Governor Reports 1 Death From Isaias; 60K Homes Without Power

Tropical Storm Isaias caused one death in Virginia as more than 40 tornado warnings were issued when the storm swept through the state Tuesday morning, Gov. Ralph Northam said Wednesday at a news conference in Richmond. The death occurred in Lancaster County where the National Weather Service reported that a tornado struck near the town of Kilmarnock.

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New Eviction Moratorium To Begin Next Week In Virginia

On Friday, the Virginia Supreme Court announced it approved Gov. Ralph Northam's request for another temporary eviction moratorium as some tenants struggle to pay rent during the pandemic. The moratorium between Monday, Aug. 10 and Monday, Sept. 7, pauses eviction proceedings related to failure to pay rent.

Virginia Sales Tax Holiday 2020: Dates, What It Includes

Each summer before the school year, Virginia sets a sales tax holiday to allow tax-free purchases of certain items. While the start of the school year may look different due to the pandemic, it's an ideal time to stock up on clothing, school supplies, emergency preparedness items and select appliances.

Inaccurate Mailing Sent To Fairfax County Voters

A mailing going out to Fairfax County voters from a nonprofit organization has incorrect information, according to Fairfax County's Office of Elections.

Fairfax City Board Considers New Name For Lanier Middle School

Community members are urging the City of Fairfax School Board to change the name of the city's middle school, which is named after Sidney Lanier, a Confederate soldier who in the decades after his death was embraced as the "poet of the Confederacy."

Back To School: Check Out Fall Plans For NoVA School Districts

With about a month to go before school resumes in the fall, many school districts across the United States continue to grapple with how best to offer instruction amid the coronavirus pandemic. In Northern Virginia, the debate has ended, with all school districts in the region choosing to start the 2020-2021 school year with virtual instruction.

Taste Of Reston Canceled For 2020, Set To Return In June 2021

Reston gourmands and foodies are going to have to wait until next summer to enjoy the Taste of Reston food festival.

App Launches To Notify Contacts Of Coronavirus Cases In Virginia

The Virginia Department of Health has launched an app to notify people of potential contact with confirmed coronavirus cases. The COVIDWISE app sends an alert if a person has been close to a person who tested positive for the virus.

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