In accordance with Gov. Ralph Northam’s Stay At Home Order issued Monday, Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey and County Manager Mark Schwartz are telling all Arlingtonians to stay home.
Everyone is required to stay home, with exceptions for buying food, caring for family members, seeking medical attention, going to work, or volunteering for a nonprofit. The governor’s order does allow individual exercise, provided people comply with social distancing guidelines of staying six feet apart from people outside their household.
All public and private gatherings or 10 or more people continue to be prohibited. Social distancing guidelines remain in place for small groups.
“Every Arlingtonian must do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Board Chair Libby Garvey said. “It will take all of us complying, not just most of us. Social distancing and frequent handwashing are the best way to combat the coronavirus. So stay at home to help save lives.”
All County and APS parks and facilities (parks, fields, playgrounds, restrooms, tracks, dog parks and athletic courts) remain closed. Do not enter closed facilities. Paved and hiking trails in Arlington remain open, with strict social distancing in place, except for household members.
“We have to protect our most precious asset in Arlington — people,” Schwartz said. “The coronavirus affects people of all ages. People who are gathering still put themselves, their neighbors, our healthcare workers and other frontline personnel at risk.”
Arlington encourages the community to stay connected with family, friends, and neighbors while still practicing social distancing. Look out for anyone who may be isolated during this time, by calling, texting, emailing, or talking through the door.
“In these unprecedented times, the best way for Arlington to come together is to stay apart,” Garvey said. “However, those few people who have not been taking the COVID-19 crisis seriously and who have not been taking the responsible measures we all must take with social distancing are likely to experience increased enforcement.”