NEWS RELEASE Contact: Chief, Cynthia McAlister
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE cmcalister@purcellvilleva.gov; 540-338-7422
IMPACTS OF GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER REGARDING COVID-19 ON TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE
PURCELLVILLE, Va., March 24, 2020 — Effective 11:59 p.m., tonight (Tuesday, March 24, 2020), Town of Purcellville businesses, schools, and gatherings will be subject to restrictions intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19, in accordance with Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s Executive Order 53.
As most residents are aware, in accordance with the Governor’s order and per Loudoun County, all Virginia K-12 schools will remain closed through the end of this academic year. As a reminder, both Loudoun County Public School (LCPS) campuses and facilities, as well as Town of Purcellville parks, playgrounds, athletic fields and courts are closed to the public at this time.
The Governor’s order specifies that gatherings of more than 10 people are banned statewide, beginning at 11:59 p.m. tonight.
The Governor’s order further declares the following recreation and entertainment businesses are considered non-essential and must close to the public beginning at 11:59 p.m. tonight:
Theaters, performing arts centers, concert venues, museums, and other indoor entertainment centers, fitness centers, gymnasiums, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor exercise facilities;
- Beauty salons, barber shops, spas, massage parlors, tanning salons, tattoo shops, and any other location where personal care or personal grooming services are performed that would not allow compliance with social distancing guidelines to remain six feet apart;
- Racetracks and historic horse racing facilities;
- Bowling alleys, skating rinks, arcades, amusement parks, trampoline parks, fairs, arts and craft facilities, aquariums, zoos, escape rooms, indoor shooting ranges, public and private social clubs, and all other places of indoor public amusement.
All dining and congregation areas in the following establishments must close to the public beginning at 11:59 PM tonight. These establishments may continue to offer delivery and/or takeout services.
- Restaurants;
- Dining establishments;
- Food courts;
- Farmers markets;
- Breweries;
- Microbreweries;
- Distilleries;
- Wineries;
- Tasting rooms.
Loudoun County advises that while essential businesses may remain open, the Loudoun County Health Department reminds business owners and the public that these retail establishments must, to the extent possible, adhere to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing practices on common surfaces, and other appropriate workplace guidance from state and federal authorities.
Essential Businesses:
- Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retailers that sell food and beverage products or pharmacy products, including dollar stores, and department stores with grocery or pharmacy operations;
- Medical, laboratory, and vision supply retailers;
- Electronic retailers that sell or service cell phones, computers, tablets, and other communications technology;
- Automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers as well as automotive repair facilities;
- Home improvement, hardware, building material, and building supply retailers;
- Lawn and garden equipment retailers;
- Beer, wine, and liquor stores;
- Retail functions of gas stations and convenience stores;
- Retail located within healthcare facilities;
- Banks and other financial institutions with retail functions;
- Pet stores and feed stores;
- Printing and office supply stores; and
- Laundromats and dry cleaners.
Any brick-and-mortar retail business not listed above must limit all in-person shopping to no more than 10 patrons per establishment, adhere to social distancing recommendations, sanitize common surfaces, and apply relevant workplace guidance from state and federal authorities. If any such business cannot adhere to the 10-patron limit with proper social distancing requirements, it must close.
The order will remain in effect for at least 30 days in Virginia. The order advises that nothing in Executive Order Fifty-Three limits the provision of health care or medical services, access to essential services for low-income residents, such as food banks; the operations of the media; law enforcement agencies; or operations of government. The Governor’s Order can be reviewed at:
https://www.governor.virginia.gov/…/march/headline-855292-e….
The Purcellville Police Department asks for the public’s assistance in achieving voluntary compliance to the Governor’s Order. It should be noted, however that any violation of the aforementioned Governor’s Executive Order Fifty Three does constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor pursuant to § 44-146.17 of the Code of Virginia and could result in criminal charges. Any business that is not explicitly set forth in the essential categories listed above should limit operations to 10 patrons or less with adequate social distancing.
The full text of Executive Order Fifty Three can be found at
https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/executive-actions/EO-53-Temporary-Restrictions-Due-To-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19).pdf
A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found at
https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/Frequently-Asked-Questions-Regarding-EO-53.pdf
The Loudoun County Health Department is the primary agency responsible for local response to a public health concern, including the evolving coronavirus outbreak. For information about the current situation, recommendation actions, and the planned response, please visit the Loudoun County Health Department website: www.loudoun.gov/coronavirus. Residents may also text LCCOVID19 to 888777 receive text alerts from Loudoun County about Coronavirus.
The Town of Purcellville, Virginia
“Purcellville-your small Town, where history and progress intersect and people prosper,” is an award-winning town of over 10,000 residents located in Loudoun County, approximately 50 miles west of Washington, DC. Having received the prestigious Siemens Sustainability Award for Small Communities, Purcellville continues to be honored for its green initiatives with most recently being the Tree City USA recipient for the 12th year. The Town was reaffirmed as a AAA rated community by S&P Global Ratings, the highest credit rating possible, and is recognized as one of the safest towns in Virginia. Once a stop along the W&OD rail line, which has been converted to a multi-use trail from Alexandria, VA to Purcellville, the Town has maintained its historic old-town feel through the restoration and maintenance of its many downtown structures, reflecting the Victorian architecture popular during the early 1900s. Today, Purcellville is the economic hub of western Loudoun County and a popular weekend destination for antiquing, equestrian activities, farmer’s markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants. More info at www.purcellvilleva.gov.
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