ABC Temporarily Closing Several NoVa Stores Due To Coronavirus

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority is temporarily closing several of its stores in the Northern Virginia area starting Monday to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19. ABC plans to reopen these stores on April 30, although the final decision will depend on the authority’s ability to properly and safely staff the stores.

ABC said it supports its employees’ decisions to self-quarantine when necessary, which has affected staffing levels in Northern Virginia. The state agency said it selected which stores to close temporarily through discussions with regional retail officials to determine which closures would have the lowest impact on customers’ convenience.

“Our top priority continues to be instituting operational measures to keep our customers and employees safe, and we are monitoring conditions and assessing staffing levels throughout the state to determine howbest to operate all of our stores," ABC Chief Executive Officer Travis Hill said Thursday in a statement.

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Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, like governors in nearly every other state, has classified liquor stores as an essential business.

Beginning Monday, ABC will temporarily close the following stores:

• Fairfax 0685 Braddock Road
• Fairfax 3903 Fair Ridge Drive Suite "N"
• Fredericksburg 507 William Street
• Alexandria 686 St. Asaph Street
• Annandale 6920-E Bradlick Shopping Center
• Arlington 2507 North Harrison Street
• Ashburn 44722 Brimfield Drive
• Haymarket 5331 Merchants View Square
• Herndon 378 Elden Street
• Springfield 6230-I Rolling Road
• Stafford 50 North Stafford Complex Center Suite
• Vienna 8150 Leesburg Pike Suite 110

The authority said it is offering employees in the temporarily closed stores who want to work the option to do so in nearby locations to sustain operations in stores that remain open. No employees will lose the opportunity to work, the authority said.

All ABC stores currently operating across the state are open from noon to 7 p.m., seven days a week. All stores are limiting the number of customers in the store at one time to no more than 10.

Stores have also installed social distancing markers to ensure customers stand at least six feet apart from one another. Customers also can place their order online at www.abc.virginia.gov and pick up the order at the store of their choice that is still open.

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