COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT :
THE CITY OF NORFOLK OFFICE OF VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE - EFFECTIVE MARCH 16, 2020.
We are monitoring messages frequently and will respond to all inquiries within 24 hours. Please continue to check here for updated information.
Virginia Cooperative Extension maintains an online resource for best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Virginia Department of Health provides coverage of COVID-19 cases in Virgina. This page updates daily prior to 10:00 AM.
Governor Northam Announces State-Wide Mandate for Face Coverings
In a press conference held on May 26th, the Governor announced a state-wide mandate for face coverings in public spaces. See more below:
"A face covering includes anything that covers your nose and mouth, such as a mask, scarf, or bandana. Medical-grade masks and personal protective equipment should be reserved for health care professionals. Under the Governor’s executive order, any person age ten and older must wear a mask or face covering at all times while entering, exiting, traveling through, and spending time in the following public settings:
- Personal care and grooming businesses
- Essential and non-essential brick and mortar retail including grocery stores and pharmacies
- Food and beverage establishments
- Entertainment or public amusement establishments when permitted to open
- Train stations, bus stations, and on intrastate public transportation, including in waiting or congregating areas
- State and local government buildings and areas where the public accesses services
- Any indoor space shared by groups of people who may congregate within six feet of one another or who are in close proximity to each other for more than ten minutes
Exemptions to these guidelines include while eating and drinking at a food and beverage establishment; individuals who are exercising; children under the age of two; a person seeking to communicate with a hearing-impaired person, for which the mouth needs to be visible; and anyone with a health condition that keeps them from wearing a face covering. Children over the age of two are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering to the extent possible.
Governor Northam's Response to COVID-19
As a direct response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Hampton Roads region, Governor Northam issued Executive Order 68 for our area. This order imposes additional restrictions on gatherings and food service. The order goes into effect at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31st. Read the order here.
Phase 3 will begin on Wednesday, July 1st. See a full list of updated guidelines here.
Phase 2 of the Governor's reopening plan will begin on June 5th for most localities, excluding Richmond and Northern Virginia.
On May 26th, the Governor announced a state-wide mandate for face coverings while in public spaces. The mandate begins on Friday, May 29th.
Pase 1 of the Governor's reopening plan will begin on May 15th.
In an update given on April 29th, Governor Northam announced Elective Medical Procedures may resume in Virginia on May 1st, 2020.
On April 15th, Governor Northam extended non-essential business closures for two weeks, to May 8th, 2020. Executive Order Fifty-Three originally signed on March 24, bans crowds of more than 10 people; closes recreation, entertainment, and personal care businesses; and limits restaurants to offering takeout and delivery services only.
On April 13th, Governor Northam issued an Executive Order postponing the June 9th, 2020 Primary Election to June 23rd, 2020.
On March 30th, Governor Ralph Northam issued a statewide, mandatory stay at home order. This order will remain in effect until June 10th, 2020, unless otherwise amended.
COVID-19 Messaging Study
Virginia Cooperative Extension is collaborating with a team of researchers from VT, UVA, Carilion Clinic and Inova Health System on a COVID-19 messaging study. The attached document provides additional information.
Please help us understand how you heard and responded to information about the coronavirus/COVID-19. By participating in this important 5-10-minute survey about COVID-19, you can help improve efforts to communicate information related to public health. Take the anonymous survey at: bit.ly/covid19messaging.
- Proper Handwashing Video
- Exercise Videos by Eat Smart, Move More
- Mental Health Resources from Virginia's National Allisance on Mental Illness
- Arkansas Extension's Yoga for Kids
- Mental Health First Aid for COVID-19 from the American Red Cross
- Xfinity Wifi Hotspots are free to anyone in need of internet access. Locate your nearest hotspot here.
- Comcast is offering free Internet Essentials to limited-income households for 60 days.
- The Virginia Commonwealth Connect team has launched an interactive map to help you find your closest wifi hotspot.
- Unemployment information can be found at the Virginia Employment Commision.
- Apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families with minor children (TANF) here.
- The deadlines to file and pay federal income taxes has been delayed into July 15, 2020. Find more information with the Internal Revenue Service.
- The Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs provides a financial mangement resource for local governments.
- The Virginia Small Business Development Center network has developed a Business Recovery webpage to help entrepreneurs plan for and execute new business stratedies in light of state and national phased reopening.
DISCLAIMER: Commercial products are named in this publication for informational purposes only. Virginia Cooperative Extension does not endorse these products and does not intend discrimination against other products which also may be suitable.