County Response to COVID-19

Sept. 21, 2020 Update - Noon

Governor Northam Announces Expansion of $70 Million Rebuild VA Grant Fund for Small Businesses, Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19
Eligibility criteria expanded to include businesses that received federal CARES Act funds, supply chain partners affected by closures

Governor Ralph Northam announced that Rebuild VA, the $70 million economic recovery fund launched in August, is expanding its eligibility criteria to allow more small businesses to apply. Businesses that received funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and supply chain partners of businesses whose normal operations were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are now eligible to receive grants of up to $10,000. Businesses that have received federal funds must certify that they will only use the Rebuild VA grant for recurring expenses and that the grant will not be used to cover the same expenses as the other CARES Act funds.

Rebuild VA, which is administered by the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD), successfully launched on August 10. SBSD and its program partners, the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, made the decision to expand eligibility criteria after analysis of eligible and ineligible applications received within the first 30 days of the launch.

Eligible businesses and nonprofits must demonstrate that their normal operations were limited by Governor Northam’s Executive Orders Fifty-Three (PDF) or Fifty-Five (PDF), or that they were directly impacted by the closure of such businesses. In March, Governor Northam took executive action to protect the health and safety of Virginians, which included limiting operations for food and beverage, non-essential brick and mortar retail, exercise and fitness, entertainment and public amusement, personal care and personal grooming and private campground and overnight summer camps. Expanded business sectors now eligible to apply for Rebuild VA grants include small hotels and bed and breakfasts lodging facilities along with film companies supporting production in the Commonwealth. Businesses that provide goods or services for those identified in one or more of the eligible business categories previously mentioned are now eligible.

Businesses must also certify that they have not received grant or loan dollars from federal, state or local CARES Act funded programs, or if they have received CARES Act funding, that they will use the Rebuild VA grant only for recurring expenses. These businesses must also certify that the Rebuild VA funds will not be used to cover the same expenses as other CARES Act funds.

Rebuild VA still requires that businesses and nonprofit organizations must be in good standing, have annual gross revenues of no more than $1.5 million, and have no more than 25 employees.

Rebuild VA funding may be utilized for the following eligible expenses:

• Payroll support, including paid sick, medical or family leave, and costs related to the continuation of group health care benefits during those periods of leave;
• Employee salaries;
• Mortgage payments, rent and utilities;
• Principal and interest payments for any business loans from national or state-chartered banking, savings and loan institutions or credit unions, that were incurred before or during the emergency;
• Eligible personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfecting materials or other working capital needed to address COVID-19 response.

For additional information about Rebuild VA, expanded eligibility criteria, covered expenses and how to submit an application, please visit governor.virginia.gov/RebuildVA.

Read the full news release on the Virginia Governor Newsroom. 

Sept. 17, 2020 Update - 4:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 23 Board of Supervisors Meeting to Be Held in Person
An online comment form is also available for citizens to submit comments

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23, will be held in person in the Public Meeting Room at 10001 Iron Bridge Road. The online comment form is also available for citizens to submit comments ahead of time.

The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. with a work session followed by the 6 p.m. evening session. Both sessions will be held in the Public Meeting Room and will be available for viewing on Comcast Channel 98, Verizon Channel 28, and live streamed on chesterfield.gov and the County’s YouTube channel.

Measures are being put in place to accommodate in person public input while practicing social distancing, as recommended by health officials.

Those citizens wishing to participate in person will be required to wear a face covering and pass a simple health screening before entering the building. In order to maintain the 6-foot social distance requirement, seating will be extremely limited; however, TV monitors will be set up outside the Public Meeting Room.

Due to the COVID 19 occupancy limits of the Public Meeting Room, the general public will not able to be seated in the room, however, citizens requesting to speak before the Board will be given the opportunity to comment in person at the appropriate time.

Citizens who wish to make comments on the portion of the Board’s agenda known as "Citizen Comment Period on Unscheduled Matters" can submit comments via the online form; or call in comments and leave a message at 804-748-1808. A maximum of 15 citizens may leave comments for this meeting in accordance with the Board’s procedures on “Citizen Comment Period on Unscheduled Matters.” The portal will close at 5 p.m. on the day prior to the scheduled board meeting (Sept. 22) in order to prepare comments for the public and the board to see in a timely manner; prior to the Board meeting.

Citizens who wish to provide input on any and all of the public hearing items on the agenda are encouraged to submit comments via the online form. Citizens without internet access may call in comments and leave a message at 804-748-1808.

The public hearing comment form and the meeting agenda are posted online for citizens to view, and citizens are encouraged to view public hearing agenda items and all attachments before submitting a comment.

There are no limits on the number of citizens that can comment on each public hearing item; however, each citizen may submit only one comment per public hearing topic. The allotted comment space is equivalent to the 3-minute allotted time of in-person board meetings. At the end of each day through Sept. 22, the clerk will post all public hearing comments received that day for the public to view. Public hearing comments will be received until 5 p.m. on Sept. 22 in order to prepare comments for the public and the board to see in a timely manner, prior to the board meeting.

All comments received will be distributed to the board and posted online for the public to view in advance of the meeting and will be made a part of the board’s official public record within the rules of procedure adopted by the Board of Supervisors.

• The online public comment form may be accessed directly at www.chesterfield.gov/BOScomments.
• The public comment voicemail phone number is 804-748-1808

As a reminder, the Board of Supervisors meeting will be available for viewing on Comcast Channel 98, Verizon Channel 28, and live streamed on chesterfield.gov and the County’s YouTube channel.

Sept. 17, 2020 Update - 9 a.m.

Chesterfield to Open Early Voting Location on Friday, Sept. 18
In person absentee voting begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Registrar’s Office

Chesterfield registered voters looking to beat the lines can begin casting their ballots Friday at the county’s Registrar’s Office.

Voters can cast their ballots in person from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the office, located at 9848 Lori Road in Chesterfield. The office also will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the two Saturdays (Oct. 24 and Oct. 31) before the Nov. 3 general election.   

All registered Chesterfield voters regardless of precinct can vote early at the county Registrar’s Office.

The last day of early voting is at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

Those who plan to vote early at the Registrar’s Office are asked to wear a face covering and adhere to social distancing measures outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Election workers will clean all surfaces and election equipment periodically throughout the day.

Any voter also can drop off their vote by mail ballot at the Registrar’s Office during business hours. Voters wishing to drop off a ballot can deposit it into a locked and secure ballot bag inside the precinct. Voters do not need to stand in line to drop off a mail ballot.

Find more information about how to cast your ballot before or during the General Election.

Review additional election news at PromoteTheVoteCfield.org.

Read the full news release. 

Sept. 15, 2020 Update - 5 p.m.

Chesterfield Health Department Announces Additional September Free COVID-19 Testing Events
Residents exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms are strongly encouraged to attend upcoming free testing events 

In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 across Chesterfield, the county’s Health Department is ramping up testing throughout Chesterfield by hosting another round of free testing events in September.

Several of the free walk-up testing events will occur multiple times a week at three primary locations in the county:

Walmsley Boulevard United Methodist Church 
2950 Walmsley Blvd.
5-7 p.m., Tuesdays, Sept. 15, 22 and 29
5-7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17

Beulah United Methodist Church
6930 Hopkins Road
5-7 p.m., Wednesdays, Sept. 16, 23 and 30

Cornerstone Church 
10551 Chalkley Road
1-2 p.m., Thursdays, Sept. 17 and 24
5-6 p.m., Mondays, Sept. 21 and 28

Residents who may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms as defined by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are strongly encouraged to attend the free walk-up testing events.  

Spanish speaking staff also will be present at each location. 

Sept. 14, 2020 Update - 3:45 p.m.

Chesterfield Health District Offering Free Flu Shots Friday, Sept. 25
Residents must have an appointment and be 18 years or older

The Chesterfield Health District is offering FREE flu vaccines to the general public at their office, 9501 Lucy Corr Circle, on Friday, Sept. 25 from 1-5 p.m. Supplies are limited and you must have an appointment and be 18 years or older.

To make an appointment, call 804-318-8207.

The effects of the seasonal flu are very serious, especially in the wider circumstance of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensure you are protected from these viruses by getting vaccinated for the flu now and for COVID-19 when a vaccine is available. Do not put off your vaccine for another day. Call and make your appointment right away!

Those who register for a free flu shot will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival. Face coverings are required.

Sept. 9, 2020 Update - 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 15 Planning Commission Meeting to Be Held in Person
Residents can also submit comments ahead of time using the online form

The Chesterfield Planning Commission will hold its Tuesday, Sept. 15 meeting in person in the Public Meeting Room at 10001 Iron Bridge Road.

Measures are being put in place to accommodate public input while still practicing social distancing, as recommended by health officials.

Residents wishing to comment in person will be required to wear a face covering and pass a simple health screening before entering the building. In order to maintain the 6-foot social distance requirement, seating will be extremely limited; however, TV monitors will be set up outside the Public Meeting Room.

Citizens are encouraged to use the online comment form at www.chesterfield.gov/cpccomments to provide comment on public hearings regarding zoning cases. Those wishing to comment must submit a new online form for each public hearing they want to comment on. Only one comment per person per public hearing will be accepted. The online form can also be used to comment on unscheduled matters. In addition to the form, comments can also be received by email at planning@chesterfield.gov, or by calling 804-748-1125.

The Planning Commission will accept all public comments (online portal, telephone message, and email) until 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14 to ensure the comments are provided to the Planning Commission prior to the 6 p.m. meeting for their consideration.

The agenda, staff reports, and PowerPoint presentations for the Sept. 15 Planning Commission Meeting can be found on Planning Department webpage.

The Chesterfield Planning Commission Meeting will be livestreamed on WCCT Chesterfield Community Television, including Comcast channel 98 and Verizon channel 28, and on Chesterfield County YouTube.

Read the full news release. 

Sept. 9, 2020 Update - 9:30 a.m.

Chesterfield Registrar’s Office Encourages Voters to Cast Their Vote in One of Three Ways
Vote by mail, vote early in person or vote at your polling place on Election Day

The Chesterfield County Registrar’s Office wants to assure all voters that we are taking every precaution to provide a safe voting environment. Chesterfield is anticipating record voter turnout in the 2020 General Election. The Registrar’s Office is fielding more than 21,000 absentee ballot applications from registered voters – up from 18,373 in 2016.

Voters have several options to cast a ballot in this year’s General Election:

Absentee Ballot Voting 

Registered voters seeking to vote absentee by mail must submit a Virginia Vote by Mail Application before they can receive a general election ballot. Voters can request an application by either calling the Chesterfield Registrar’s Office at 804-748-1471 or by going online to the Virginia Department of Elections’ Citizen Portal. Ballots will be mailed-out to county voters beginning Friday, Sept. 18. The last day to request a mailed ballot is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.

Once you receive your absentee ballot, follow the instructions carefully in voting and returning your ballot. Voters are encouraged to immediately vote and return their ballots to the Registrar’s Office. 

There are several ways to return your ballot:

• Mail your ballot back via the U.S. Postal Service by using the return envelope sent to your residence by the Registrar’s Office. Voters also can use a commercial delivery service such as FedEx or UPS to return your ballot.
• Return your absentee ballot in-person at the Chesterfield Registrar’s Office at 9848 Lori Road, Chesterfield, Va. 23832.
• Return your ballot to the following secure drop-off locations during hours of operation:
  • North Courthouse Road Library | 325 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield
  • LaPrade Library | 9000 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield
  • Meadowdale Library | 4301 Meadowdale Blvd, North Chesterfield
  • Ettrick-Matoaca Library | 4501 River Road, South Chesterfield

Your ballot must be returned, or postmarked, to the Registrar’s Office in-person by 7 p.m. Nov. 3.

Early Voting 

Registered voters may vote early at the General Registrar’s office beginning Friday, Sept. 18. The office, located 9848 Lori Road, Chesterfield, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; and will be open the two Saturdays (Oct. 24 and Oct. 31) before the election from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Early voting starts at the four County Libraries listed below on Monday, Oct. 19. The Libraries are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday – Friday and will be open the two Saturdays before the election. The Saturday hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• North Courthouse Road Library | 325 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield
• LaPrade Library | 9000 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield
• Meadowdale Library | 4301 Meadowdale Blvd, North Chesterfield
• Ettrick-Matoaca Library | 4501 River Road, South Chesterfield

Saturday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. is the last day of early voting.

General Election Day Voting 

If you cannot early vote or miss the deadline to request an absentee ballot, all of Chesterfield’s polling locations will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 for in person voting. However, because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the number of voters allowed inside the polling place at any time will be limited to adhere to social distancing and give poll workers time to sanitize machines and equipment for use. All voters are asked to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing protocols.

If you voted early in person or submitted a marked absentee ballot to the Registrar’s office, you can neither cast another ballot, nor change your vote in person on Election Day.

For more information, visit PromoteTheVoteCfield.org. 

To find your voting precinct, visit the Virginia Department of Elections Citizen Portal. 

Read the full news release.

Sept. 3, 2020 Update - 10:15 a.m.

Chesterfield Announces Early Voting Locations for General Election
Early voting starts at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18 at the Registrar’s office

In anticipation of high voter turnout, and to provide viable voting options during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Chesterfield County Registrar’s Office is set to launch four satellite voting locations starting Monday, Oct. 19.  

Chesterfield early voting locations are: 

• Ettrick-Matoaca Library - 4501 River Road, South Chesterfield, VA 23803
  
• LaPrade Library - 9000 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23236
• Meadowdale Library - 4301 Meadowdale Blvd, North Chesterfield, VA 23234
• North Courthouse Road Library - 325 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23236

The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors approved each of the locations during its regularly scheduled Aug. 26 meeting and during a virtual special meeting on Sept. 2. 

Each satellite voting location is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Meadowdale and North Courthouse Road libraries will be open to the public from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Monday-Thursday and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Library services at LaPrade and Ettrick-Matoaca will not be available and both locations are closed to the public – except for early voting.

Registered voters may also vote early at the General Registrar’s office beginning Friday, Sept. 18. The office, located 9848 Lori Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; and will be open the two Saturdays (Oct. 24 and Oct. 31) before the election from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Early voting ends on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. 

Voters are requested to wear a mask at each location and adhere to state and federal social distancing measures. 

Voters can drop off their voted mail ballots at any satellite voting location or the registrar’s office during voting hours.

Curbside voting will also be available during early voting. Each location will have a curbside voting phone number posted at the site for voters wishing to call and use the service.  

Once voters arrive at an early voting location, voters must provide their name and address and show an acceptable form of ID or sign an ID Confirmation Statement. To view a complete list of acceptable IDs, please visit the state Department of Election’s Voting In Person page.

If acceptable identification is not provided, voters must sign an ID Confirmation Statement or a provisional ballot will be offered. If issued a provisional ballot, voters have until noon Friday, Nov. 6 to provide a copy of acceptable identification to the Chesterfield Electoral Board. 

Read the full news release. 

Sept. 1, 2020 Update - 2 p.m.

Chesterfield County Public Library Providing Virtual Learning and Telework Spaces by Reservation
Spaces will be available beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8 

In support of families with school-age children, Chesterfield County Public Library, or CCPL, is providing virtual learning and telework spaces for students, families and teleworkers.

Spaces will be available for reservation from 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays. Hours will be expanded into the evening starting in October. 

Learning spaces will be available at all 10 locations, which includes those locations that are still closed to the public. Services will vary by location, depending on whether the location is open to the public. As a reminder, the CCPL locations currently open to the public are Central Library, Meadowdale Library and North Courthouse Road Library. Spaces can be reserved for individuals and groups up to 12 people. Curbside service will continue to be offered at all 10 libraries.

Some scenarios for who may want to use this space:

• Parents and children who need more reliable WiFi for virtual learning or need a learning space outside the home
• Groups of parents who would like to form small virtual learning pods made up of neighborhood children so they can learn together in a small group but need an appropriate learning space and/or broadband access for multiple devices
• Teleworkers who need a more reliable WiFi connection or who need a quiet space to work
• Tutors working with students who are unable to meet elsewhere
• College students enrolled in virtual learning
• Adult literacy students
• Homeschooling groups or other small learning groups who need space for more active, in-person learning

You can begin placing your reservations on Tuesday, Sept. 1 for spaces that will be available starting Tuesday, Sept. 8. All spaces will include seating and free WiFi. Additional amenities may include tables, whiteboards, access to power outlets and enclosed rooms for group learning or collaboration. 

Visit the CCPL website for more information on how to get started or call 804-751-CCPL (2275).

Read the full news release. 

Sept. 1, 2020 Update - 11:45 a.m.

Chesterfield Board of Supervisors Hold Special Meeting to Discuss Adding Two Additional Absentee Voting Locations
Virtual meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. via Microsoft Teams 

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors will hold a virtual special meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. to discuss the establishment of two additional satellite absentee voting locations. The board previously voted on Aug. 26 to establish locations at the LaPrade and the Meadowdale libraries.

The two additional proposed satellite locations are:

• North Courthouse Road Library | 325 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23236
• Ettrick-Matoaca Library | 4501 River Road, South Chesterfield, VA 23803

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recent changes in state law allowing “no excuse” absentee voting for all eligible voters in Virginia, the county anticipates an increased number of citizens voting via absentee ballots during the November election. State law requires the creation of satellite offices to be enacted at least 60 days before the November election. During the special meeting’s public hearing, Chesterfield County Registrar Constance Hargrove will address the board.

The special meeting will be held virtually, and those who wish to listen to the meeting may do so by calling +1-804-223-1418 and entering the Conference ID: 358 979 26#.

In addition, it will be streamed live on the county’s YouTube channel and WCCT Chesterfield Community Television, Comcast channel 98 and Verizon channel 28.

The special meeting will not contain a public comment section on unscheduled matters; however, residents who wish to submit a comment to the board related to this special meeting may email Clerk to the Board Sara Hall.

Sept. 1, 2020 Update - 9:30 a.m.

Chesterfield County Seeks Additional Officers of Election for the Upcoming Nov. 3 General Election
County to offer a $100 bonus to secure additional poll workers 

The Chesterfield County Registrar’s Office is offering a $100 bonus to poll workers selected to work during the Nov. 3 General Election – bringing their overall compensation for their work during Election Day to $250. 

Officers of Election are registered voters that play a vital role in ensuring the integrity of the election and assisting voters in having a successful and enjoyable voting experience. Chesterfield currently boasts more than 1,300 Officers of Election. However, an overwhelming number of those officers are over the age of 65, and with the growing concerns about the resurgence of COVID-19 in the fall, the Registrar’s Office is preparing for several of those officers to potentially sit out this election. 

In anticipation of potentially historic voter turnout this November, the county is looking to add officers that reflect the diverse fabric of Chesterfield. All potential officers must be registered voters in Virginia. A typical day for an officer working the polls begins at 5 a.m. and does not end until all the votes are counted and reported.

Other duties include:

• Greeting and providing directions
• Helping voters that may not be able to leave their vehicle to vote
• Checking in voters and issuing a ballot
• Sanitizing communal areas within the polling place so they are safe for voters
• Sitting and standing for long periods as well as being able to lift up to 40 pounds with assistance

To sign up to become an officer and for more information, visit PromoteTheVoteCfield.org or call 804-748-1471.

Read the full news release. 

Sept. 1, 2020 Update - 9 a.m.

Chesterfield Health Department Announces September Free COVID-19 Testing Event 
Residents exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms are strongly encouraged to attend upcoming free testing events 

As part of a statewide push to increase testing across the commonwealth, the Chesterfield Health Department is hosting another round of free COVID-19 testing events in September. 

The free walk-up testing events will be from 5- 7 p.m. at the Faith and Family Center at 7900 Walmsley Blvd. on the following days:

• Tuesday, Sept. 1
• Thursday, Sept. 3 
• Tuesday, Sept. 8
• Friday, Sept. 11

Additional September testing dates and location are pending. 

Residents who may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms as defined by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are strongly encouraged to attend the free walk-up testing events.  

Spanish speaking staff also will be present at each location. 

August 2020 Updates

All August 2020 updates have been moved to the COVID-19 Updates Archive - August 2020.

July 2020 Updates

All July 2020 updates have been moved to the COVID-19 Updates Archive - July 2020.

June 2020 Updates

All June 2020 updates have been moved to the COVID-19 Updates Archive - June 2020.

May 2020 Updates

All May 2020 updates have been moved to the COVID-19 Updates Archive - May 2020.

April 2020 Updates

All April 2020 updates have been moved to the COVID-19 Updates Archive - April 2020.

March 2020 Updates

All March 2020 updates have been moved to the COVID-19 Updates Archive - March 2020.