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

ARLINGTON, VA — 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.

“While most Arlingtonians are adhering to requirements to wear masks and maintain social distancing, unfortunately, some are not,” Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey said in a county release. “They are putting themselves and our community at risk of serious illness or death during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board hopes that this step will make it clear to our entire community that this pandemic is far from under control and that we are serious about maintaining social distance to slow its spread and save lives. We hope that through outreach and education, we will get voluntary compliance and will not have to issue a single ticket.”

The board took action after reporting difficulty in securing voluntary compliance with social distancing requirements put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

Arlington entered phase three of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's phased reopening of the state on July 1. Under phase three, the maximum number of people allowed in social gatherings increased from 50 to 250 people, restaurants were required to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between tables, and people were required to wear masks and maintain social distancing in public.

In enacting the emergency ordinance, the board noted that while many were adhering to the social distancing requirements, others were not.

“Arlington county has experienced significant crowding inside restaurants and on the public sidewalks, rights of way, and adjacent public spaces where patrons gather for oftentimes prolonged periods awaiting admission into the restaurants,” the board said in the release. In addition, people waiting were not wearing face coverings or practicing social distancing, "thereby creating a significant potential for spread of COVID-19.”

The board is to hold a public hearing on the amendment to the county code at its September meeting before voting to make the measure permanent.

Related:

Arlington Enters Phase 3 Of Reopening

Virginia's Phase 3 Reopening Scheduled To Begin July 1: Governor