Falls Church Declares Local Emergency In Response To Coronavirus

FALLS CHURCH, VA — On Monday, the Falls Church City Council approved a local emergency declaration to the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak. As of Monday, there were no presumptive cases of COVID-19 identified in the City of Falls Church, while 10 presumptive cases were identified in Fairfax County and City.

The local emergency provides "maximum resources and flexibility to respond as quickly and fully as possible to this emerging crisis," according to Mayor David Tarter. The declaration could also make the city eligible for federal and state reimbursement of expenses incurred during the emergency event.

City government is announcing operating changes as the COVID-19 continues to evolve. Effective March 16, Mary Riley Styles Public Library and the Falls Church Community Center are closed, and non-essential programs are canceled. Essential government services continue to operate, as well as trash and recycling services. Falls Church City Public Schools are closed until at least April 14. A decision on the Falls Church Farmers Market could be expected soon.

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Officials discussed strategies to tackle the impacts of the new coronavirus outbreak. According to City Manager Wyatt Shields, city staff have been going door to door with information to senior housing facilities as well as property managers at apartment buildings.

Shields also addressed how residents should approach testing for COVID-19. The first step is contacting a doctor when experiencing symptoms.

"The criteria for getting a test is strict, and that is driven by the lack of testing equipment," said Shields. "That is being ramped up quickly, so I think that situation will change and there will be more testing at the physician level."

The Fairfax County Health Department, which covers the city, advised there are no immediate plans for mass testing like drive-through testing, Shields said. Virginia and Maryland's governors and the DC mayor pressed for federal support to host a drive-through testing site in each jurisdiction.

SEE ALSO: Virginia Coronavirus Updates: What To Know For Week Of March 15

Councilmember Ross Litkenhous suggested reallocating staff affected by closures to take questions from residents on a central phone line. Shields indicated setting up an information line is a priority in the city's short-term plan.

Councilmember Letty Hardi called on business owners to consider a shift to takeout and delivery only. She mentioned that restaurants like Clare & Don's Beach Shack and Thompson Italian closed. Ireland's Four Provinces announced it will be closed on St. Patrick's Day (March 17) and postpone festivities.

Litkenhous asked the city to explore deferring real estate tax payments for property owners who will defer rent payments for small businesses.

"You go two months without having your business open, some of these small businesses, that pretty much erodes your entire profitability for the year," said Litkenhous. "Those fixed expenses of paying rent, that doesn't stop."

Hardi questioned if there's relief for people struggling to pay rent. She called for city outreach to urge property managers not evict tenants.

Shields said there is limited emergency rent relief, but there should be consideration to increase that relief in the city budget.

The city continues to provide updates on the new coronavirus impact online. Large-scale emergency messages will also be communicated through Falls Church Alerts.

Here is the guidance for residents to mitigate the spread of illness:

• Practice social and physical distancing: keep a 6-foot distance from others; bring disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer when in public; and do not shake hands, hug, or otherwise make physical contact with others.
• Stay home when sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Be informed about your risks. Abstain from all cruise ship travel, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Avoid travel to all areas where there are outbreaks of COVID-19.

Falls Church residents can find official public health information from the Fairfax County Department of Health, Virginia Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.