COVID-19 Updates Archive - May 2020
- May 29 Updates
- May 28 Updates
- May 27 Updates
- May 22 Updates
- May 21 Updates
- May 20 Updates
- May 19 Updates
- May 18 Updates
- May 15 Updates
- May 14 Updates
- May 13 Updates
- May 12 Updates
- May 11 Updates
- May 8 Updates
- May 7 Updates
- May 5 Updates
- May 4 Updates
- May 1 Updates
May 29, 2020 Update - 2:30 p.m.
Chesterfield Health Department to Continue Free COVID-19 Testing into June
Residents exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should register prior to attending
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 at three locations:
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, 9–11 a.m.
Bellwood Flea Market
9201 Jefferson Davis Highway
Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 9–11 a.m.
Falling Creek Ironworks Park
6407 Jefferson Davis Highway
Wednesday, June 17, 2020, 9–11 a.m.
Stonebridge Recreation Center
230 Karl Linn Drive
Testing is for individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms and is free for uninsured or underinsured persons.
While some appointments will be reserved for walk-ups that morning, testing is limited and appointments should be made prior to arriving.
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), should call the Chesterfield Health Department at 804-318-8207.
Spanish speaking staff also will be present during the testing event.
May 29, 2020 Update - 10 a.m.
Chesterfield Grants Grace Period for Penalties and Interest on Personal Property Tax Payments Through July 31; Treasurer’s Office Set to Reopen June 1
As some government offices begin to safely reopen, due date for personal property taxes and first-half real estate taxes remains June 5, 2020
While personal property taxes and the first half of real estate taxes are still due June 5, the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to grant a grace period through Friday, July 31, 2020 during which penalties and interest will not be assessed for late personal property tax payments. The grace period also applies to business personal property taxes, but it does not apply to real estate taxes.
The move comes as the Chesterfield County Treasurer’s Office prepares to reopen in a limited capacity Monday, June 1 to accept in-person tax payments, preferably from residents wishing to pay by cash. Personal property taxes and first-half real estate taxes are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 5, and payments made by mail must have a postmark of no later than June 5.
Upon reopening, the office will resume its normal hours of operation, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., but those wishing to make a cash tax payment are asked to be in line by 4 p.m. at the latest.
The Treasurer’s Office urges citizens, if able, to utilize a non-cash, remote method of payment, including paying online, through online banking, by phone, by mail, through an automatic payment service or via a drive-thru drop box located in the parking lot of the Chesterfield County Administration building, 9901 Lori Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832.
Tax statements were mailed by the Chesterfield Treasurer’s Office to applicable citizens and businesses beginning Friday, April 17. Tax balances may also be viewed through the Treasurer Office’s online payment portal using a tax account number, property address or map parcel number, all of which are listed on the tax statement.
Health and Safety Guidelines
The Department of Risk Management and the Department of General Services have worked with both the Office of the Treasurer and the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue to implement best public health practices outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Gov. Northam’s Guidelines for All Business Sectors. This includes:
- Establishing policies and practices for physical distancing between co-workers and between members of the public.
- Installing signage and floor markings to remind personnel of new health and safety procedures, including a need for a minimum of 6 feet of physical distancing in areas where individuals may congregate, especially at entrances, in seating areas and in check-out lines.
- Limiting the occupancy of physical spaces to ensure that adequate physical distancing can be maintained at all times.
- Implementing enhanced and frequent cleaning and disinfection of frequently-touched surfaces.
- Establishing designated work entrances to buildings to control pedestrian flow, maintaining spatial distancing and reducing employee and citizen person-to-person physical contact.
- Requiring facial coverings to be worn by all personnel in the public spaces of the building. Members of the public not wearing a facial covering inside a public building as required the Governor’s Executive Order 63 will be asked by county staff to leave until they are able to secure one.
- Requiring employees to certify that they will perform a self-assessment of their health and exposure status, including monitoring their symptoms and checking their temperature at the beginning of each day before coming to work. If they present any symptoms or feel ill, they are not to come to work.
Receipts
Citizens using the on-site drop box may request to receive a receipt by writing “receipt requested” on their invoice coupon, and a receipt will be mailed to the address on the account. If an email address is provided, the Treasurer’s Office will email the receipt to that address.
Citizens who pay online or over the phone will receive a payment confirmation number, which acts as a receipt.
Tax Payment Plans
Payment plans are available for both personal property and real estate tax payments, though the terms and conditions of the plans are determined on a case-by-case basis. Those interested in applying for a tax payment plan may do so through the online application accessible via the Treasurer’s webpage, www.chesterfield.gov/Treasurer, or by calling the Treasurer’s Office at 804-748-1201.
As required by law, participating in a payment plan will not prevent additional interest and fees from accruing on a taxpayer’s account after July 31, 2020.
Tax Payment Options
Though the Treasurer’s Office is closed to the public and residents may not pay in person at this time, several tax payment options are available, including:
- Online Banking: The online bill payment software of a taxpayer’s bank may also be used to pay Chesterfield taxes. Please note that the payment-effective date will be the date that the Treasurer’s Office receives the bank’s payment. Please allow sufficient time for processing by your bank. This payment must include the tax account number located on the tax invoice. A separate payee account is required for each unique tax account number. Please use the following remittance address for processing:
Treasurer, Chesterfield County
P.O. Box 70
Chesterfield, VA 23832-0906
- Online: Payments may be made through the Treasurer’s online payment portal 24 hours a day. To complete the transaction, taxpayers will need their tax account number (located at the top-right corner of each tax statement) and a valid credit or debit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA).
- Phone: Payment by phone is available 24 hours a day by calling 1-877-690-3729. To complete a transaction by phone, taxpayers will need their jurisdiction code (1005), the tax account number located on their invoice and a valid credit or debit card.
- Mail: Taxes may be paid by check through the mail using the return envelope enclosed in the tax statement. Checks should be made payable to “Treasurer, Chesterfield County.” Please include the coupon from the bottom of the tax invoice. Payments will not be considered late if postmarked on or before the tax due date.
- Drop Box: A drive-thru payment drop box is located in the parking lot of the Chesterfield Administration Building, 9901 Lori Road, Chesterfield, Virginia 23832. No postage is necessary for payments made at the drop box, but payments must be made by check or money order. Payments must include the coupon from the bottom of the tax invoice. Envelopes are available at the drop box, and payments dropped by 11:59 p.m. are considered to be received that same day.
- Automatic Payment Services: The Chesterfield Treasurer’s Office offers convenient automatic payment services (APS) that allow payments to be automatically debited from a bank account on the tax due date. For information on how to sign up, visit the Treasurer’s Office webpage. Please be advised that it may take 30-45 days to activate this service for a taxpayer.
For more information about tax payment options, please visit the Office of the Treasurer webpage and watch the educational video COVID-19 Tax Payments on the Chesterfield County YouTube channel.
The Treasurer’s Office is responsible for the dissemination of tax invoices and the collection of tax payments. Taxpayers with questions regarding the assessment of taxes should contact:
- For personal property tax assessment questions, call the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue at 804-748-1281.
- For real estate tax assessment questions, call the Real Estate Assessor’s Office, 804-748-1321.
- If taxpayers have questions about paying their taxes, they may contact the Treasurer’s Office, 804-748-1201.
Please note that first-half real estate taxes not paid on or before the June 5 deadline and personal property taxes not paid on or before July 31 may be subject to a late payment penalty and/or interest.
May 28, 2020 Update - 5 p.m.
Chesterfield Board of Supervisors Focus on COVID-19 Resources and Economic Recovery
Presentations covered measures to keep people safe and buffer county from financial losses
During its regularly scheduled May 27 virtual meeting, the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors received comprehensive updates on economic conditions, along with several initiatives departments are taking to keep residents and visitors of county facilities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The updates come as the Board of Supervisors evaluates several measures to begin safely opening county offices and facilities to the public, while maintaining social distancing measures outlined by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to control the spread of COVID-19 in Chesterfield.
View the video of the full May 27 meeting.
View the video of the complete COVID-19 update provided during the May 27 meeting.
Tax payments
All tax payments are due Friday, June 5.
The Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to relieve penalties and interest on payments for personal property taxes only through Friday, July 31. This does not include payments for real estate taxes.
Effective Monday, June 1, the Chesterfield Treasurer’s Office at 9901 Lori Road will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accommodate in-person tax payments. While cash is preferred for these in-person payments, the county will accept all other methods of payment.
Those who choose to make in-person tax payments are required to wear a face mask upon entering the government complex. Lines for entry to the Treasurer’s Office will start outside the complex, with only 12 people allowed in the building at a time.
Customers making in-person tax payments at the Treasurer’s Office must be in line by 4 p.m.
To avoid long lines and wait times, residents are strongly encouraged to pay their taxes online through their bank (all e-check fees will be waived), via the U.S. Postal Service, drop boxes at the government complex and over the phone at 804-748-1201.
Any payment made online, or via the telephone or drop box, by 11:59 p.m. on June 5 is considered an on time transaction, along with any payment by mail that’s postmarked by June 5.
The Treasurer’s Office will mail receipts for cash payments made in the drop box with “receipt requested” written on envelope.
Operational Services
Scott Zaremba, deputy county administrator of Community Operations, told the Board of Supervisors that his team has worked on putting phase one of its plan to open some county offices and facilities into effect.
New standard procedures will include: Rigorous cleaning and disinfecting of several county buildings, monitoring the need for personal protective equipment for employees and reconfiguring spaces to ensure limited personal contact and longevity in county buildings.
Several services and amenities, including the opening of the libraries of North Courthouse Road at 325 Courthouse Road, Central at 7051 Lucy Corr Blvd. and Meadowdale at 4301 Meadowdale Blvd., along with the county’s recreational centers, no later than Monday, June 15.
Meanwhile, virtual resources for residents, businesses and visitors will remain in place, which include hosting several meetings via Microsoft Teams. A variety of virtual programing and scheduling for county libraries and Parks and Recreation also have been implemented, along with using electronic signing tools to complete transactions and court documentation.
Residents and visitors must adhere to state and federal social distancing measures while phasing in the opening of county offices.
County courts have already placed into action a series of social distancing and safety measures for visitors and employees starting May 18 to address an increase to cases in the docket.
Business Help
Garrett Hart, Chesterfield Economic Development director, was joined by Danielle Fitz-Hugh, Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, to discuss measures both entities are taking to help county businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chesterfield Economic Development is set to launch its Back In Business grant program after receiving $5 million as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Eligible businesses could receive a $10,000 grant to help with a variety of costs and expenses incurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applications for the Back in Business grant are set to launch in early June.
Meanwhile, Hart and Fitz-Hugh gave updates on several other business initiatives, which included its Chesterfield Eats To Go campaign, an online GIS map that features more than 200 restaurants and encourages residents to support local eateries by ordering out for breakfast, lunch and dinner to-go, and its Let’s Take It Outside, Chesterfield! initiative, a one-stop shop for local restaurant operators to assist them with plans to add more outdoor dining space to their establishments, along with guidelines for operations in accordance with the state’s Forward Virginia initiative to reopen the commonwealth in phases.
Relaunch Chesterfield, a joint initiative between the Chesterfield Chamber and Chesterfield Economic Development, was created to help local business by providing insight and input from business sector groups on reopening issues.
Chesterfield also is involved with ForwardRVA, a regional coalition of business, community and governmental leaders that’s focused on creating an innovative reopening and planning framework for businesses in greater Richmond.
Economic Conditions
Matt Harris, deputy county administrator for Finance and Administration, informed the Board of Supervisors of new updates related to the county’s economic indicators and amended fiscal 2021 budget.
Chesterfield County is set to receive $30.8 million in federal CARES Act funding for expenses and initiatives related to the COVID-19 pandemic by early June. This also includes an additional $861,300 in Community Block Grant Funding that will be applied to the amended fiscal 2021 budget to help further the county’s mission for affordable housing.
Harris said about $5 million of the $30.8 million is being allocated to the Chesterfield Economic Development’s Back in Business grant program. The remaining balance disbursement is subject for review pending eligible department requests.
None of the CARES Act money can be used to offset revenue budget shortfalls.
Overall, the fiscal 2021 amended budget is $721.8 million, down from $723.7 million adopted budget because of a decrease in mostly state revenue – a slight hit Harris said the county was able to absorb through cost cutting measures taken in April.
The amended budget takes into consideration potential economic headwinds caused by the COVID-19, including an increase in unemployment.
While capital projects for infrastructure and schools remain a priority, a bond referendum is on hold indefinitely until economic conditions improve. However, Harris emphasized that several capital improvement projects that have been approved and budgeted, including several in fiscal 2021, are underway and will continue.
Safety Update
Chesterfield Fire Chief Loy Senter explained to the Board of Supervisors that COVID-19-related emergency call volumes are beginning fall, with overall 911 call volumes beginning to normalize throughout the county.
The average call volume for COVID-19-related emergencies last month was 21.
Meanwhile, emergency personnel are ramping up efforts to get residents tested through a mix of public and private sources, which includes working with the Chesterfield Health District to help establish free testing sites throughout the county.
As the focus to increase testing continues, so does the county’s mission to secure personal protective equipment (PPE). Senter said the PPE stock is improving thanks to several state initiatives and the generosity of county residents either donating or crafting a variety of PPE for public service workers.
The Chesterfield County Fairgrounds has served as a regional PPE distribution point and is one of three sites in the state to host a Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System™ (CCDS) , which uses concentrated hydrogen peroxide vapors in a self-contained chamber to remove contaminants from N95 or equivalent respirators.
Community Outreach and Assistance
Emily Ashley, Citizen Information and Resources (CIR) director, said her department has been busy working with local and regional community partners to ensure residents are receiving the help they need and desire during these unprecedented times.
To keep residents engaged with their community, neighbors and government, the department has launched a series of programs targeting residents with families, such as Chesterfield 101, a local government education program aimed at high school-aged students that went virtual for the first time earlier this month, and its Letters of Love campaign, which collected drawings, cards and letters for residents in senior living facilities.
Despite the pandemic, Ashley said CIR is working to connect volunteers with a variety of community partners that include the Chesterfield Food Bank, Hands on Greater Richmond and the YMCA.
Aside from community outreach, the department is working closely with Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Social Services and Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services to make sure residents have plenty of mental health resources and assistance during this time. That includes moving several mental health-related appointments over the telephone and through tele-health portals.
Chesterfield Health District Update
This excerpt video features the report from Chesterfield Health District Director Dr. Alexander Samuel on COVID-19 in our community.
May 28, 2020 Update - 4:30 p.m.
Chesterfield County Public Schools Meals Update
Meal plan update affecting services from June 1-11
As Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) begins to shift into summer meals support, please note that there will be changes to days, times and some distribution locations in the upcoming weeks. To better serve our families, a few school sites and off-site locations will change beginning June 1.
Please read the CCPS news release regarding Food and Nutrition Services meal plan for students from June 1-11. More information will be coming at a later date regarding the final transition into summer meals support locations and times that will begin on June 15 and go through August 31.
May 28, 2020 Update - 9 a.m.
Chesterfield County Announces $5M for Back in Business Grant Program
CARES Act funding supports new grant program
At the direction of the Board of Supervisors, Chesterfield County, in partnership with the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce, is launching the Back in Business (BiB) grant program to support small businesses negatively affected by COVID-19. The $10,000 grants are designed to provide immediate relief to businesses and to help them prepare for reopening under the guidelines of Forward Virginia.
The $5 million dollars dedicated for the grant program will come from the federal funding Chesterfield County received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Applicants will be required to demonstrate that they are eligible, that they were operational pre-COVID-19 and that they are suffering negative impacts from COVID-19 closures. Final eligibility criteria for the program and the application process is expected to be confirmed by the end of May and applications are anticipated to be open in early June.
Details on the program, as they become available, can be found at chesterfieldbusiness.com/bib.
May 27, 2020 Update - 9 a.m.
Governor Announces Face Covering Requirement and Workplace Safety Regulations
Face coverings required in public settings starting Friday, May 29
Governor Ralph Northam has signed Executive Order Sixty-Three, requiring Virginians to wear face coverings in public indoor settings to help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Governor also directed the Department of Labor and Industry to develop emergency temporary standards to prevent workplace exposure to COVID-19.
Governor Northam also signed an amended Executive Order Fifty-One, extending Virginia’s state of emergency declaration.
The new executive order supports previous actions the Governor has taken to respond to COVID-19 in Virginia and ensures workers and consumers are protected as the Commonwealth gradually eases public health restrictions. The Governor’s statewide requirement for wearing face coverings is grounded in science and data, including recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that individuals should wear face coverings in public settings. Face coverings do not take the place of public health guidelines to maintain six feet of physical distancing, increase cleaning and sanitation and wash hands regularly.
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 (PPE) 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.
The Governor is also directing the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry to develop emergency temporary standards for occupational safety that will protect employees from the spread of COVID-19 in their workplaces. These occupational safety standards will require the approval by vote of the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board and must address personal protective equipment, sanitation, record-keeping of incidents and hazard communication. Upon approval, the Department of Labor and Industry will be able to enforce the standards through civil penalties and business closures.
Read the full text of Executive Order Sixty-Three and Order of Public Health Emergency Five.
Read the text of amended Executive Order Fifty-One.
Read the full news release on the Virginia Governor Newsroom.
May 22, 2020 Update - 4:30 p.m.
Commonwealth Deploys COVIDCheck to Help Virginians Self-Screen for COVID-19
Artificial intelligence-powered online tool will guide users through a series of questions
Governor Ralph Northam announced that Virginians can now use COVIDCheck, a new online risk-assessment tool to check their symptoms and connect with the appropriate health care resource, including COVID-19 testing.
COVIDCheck is a free, web-based, artificial intelligence-powered telehealth tool that can help individuals displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19 self-assess their risk and determine the best next steps, such as self-isolation, seeing a doctor or seeking emergency care. This resource assists in identifying users who are at higher risk of COVID-19 and can help individuals find a nearby testing site. It is not to be used in place of emergency medical care.
COVIDCheck users who say they are experiencing symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19 are screened for occupational and medical risk factors and are given one of five care levels in accordance with the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) categories.
By answering a series of questions, an individual can receive a personalized, real-time self-assessment with information and recommendations on what to do next. The recommendations, based on the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), include advice on when to contact a medical professional or seek emergency care, next steps for care based on zip code and permission to follow up with the individual in three days to see how the person is doing.
Read the full news release on the Virginia Governor Newsroom.
May 22, 2020 Update - 9 a.m.
Economic Development Shares Important Phase One Information
Economic Development Director Garrett Hart discusses initiatives
Garrett Hart, Director of Economic Development for Chesterfield County, shared important information regarding the Let’s Take it Outside, Chesterfield! and Chesterfield Eats to Go initiatives during his Thursday, May 21 interview with John Reid of WRVA.
May 21, 2020 Update - 3:30 p.m.
May 27 Board of Supervisors Meeting to be Held Virtually
Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26
Next week’s Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, May 27, will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams to decrease the spread of COVID-19. The changes are designed to accommodate public input while encouraging the public to continue self-quarantining and practicing social distancing, as recommended by health officials.
The virtual meeting will begin at 6 p.m. rather than 2 p.m., as previously scheduled, and will be available for listening on Comcast Channel 98, Verizon Channel 28, and live streamed on chesterfield.gov and the county’s YouTube channel.
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 (Tuesday, May 26) 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 May 26, 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 May 26 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 listening on Comcast Channel 98, Verizon Channel 28, and live streamed on chesterfield.gov and the County’s YouTube channel.
May 21, 2020 Update - 1 p.m.
Chesterfield County Public Schools Meals Update
No meals will be served on Monday, May 25
To meet the needs of children during COVID-19 school closures, Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) will continue to provide meals for children for pick-up without charge and regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability and without discrimination. Meals will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please note: no meals will be served on Monday, May 25, 2020.
To make sure that no child misses meals, each child will receive five days of meals on Friday, May 22 (Monday and Tuesday’s meals will be included with Friday’s meals).
Important information regarding distribution of meals:
- Children do not have to be present to pick up meals. To pick up meals without a child present, please tell the staff member your child’s first and last names and age.
- On Monday and Wednesday, two days of meals will be provided for each child.
- On Fridays, three days of meals will be provided for each child.
- No meal service is available on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
For more information including meal locations and times, read the full news release on the CCPS website.
May 20, 2020 Update - 10:15 a.m.
June 3 Board of Zoning Appeals to be Held Virtually
Comments can be submitted via online form, email or phone
Due to the COVID-19 health emergency, the Wednesday, June 3 Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams as an effort to decrease the spread of the virus. The changes are designed to accommodate public input while encouraging the public to continue self-quarantining and practicing social distancing, as recommended by health officials. The Public Meeting Room, located at 10001 Ironbridge Road, will be closed.
Citizens are encouraged to use the online comment form at www.chesterfield.gov/bzacomments to provide comment on public hearings regarding Board of Zoning Appeals 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. In addition to the form, comments can also be received by email at planning@chesterfield.gov, or by calling 804-748-1050.
The Board of Zoning Appeals will accept all public comments (online portal, telephone message and email) until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2 to ensure the comments are provided to the Board prior to the June 3 meeting for their consideration.
May 20, 2020 Update - 9 a.m.
ChamberRVA Introduces New Initiative to Support the Reopening of the Richmond Region
ForwardRVA will share tools, resources with local businesses
Richmond region business, community and governmental leaders have come together to form ForwardRVA, a coalition focused on creating an innovative reopening and planning framework.
The immediate focus is to support businesses in reopening and operating safely. In the days and weeks ahead, ForwardRVA will share tools and resources, which will include the perspectives of RVA’s restaurateurs, retailers and small business owners.
To assist businesses in a responsible reopening, ForwardRVA will provide free Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) starter toolkits for RVA’s small, local, retail and restaurant businesses with 25 or fewer employees that have remained open or are planning a future reopening. The toolkits include face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, “We’re Open” signage and important safety information.
The toolkits will be available for pickup at several locations throughout the region on Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28. Small business owners must register in advance for the toolkits and select their pickup location at forwardrva.com.
ForwardRVA’s approach to reopening aligns with Governor Northam’s Forward Virginia blueprint. Both follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
For more information on the PPE Starter Toolkits, ForwardRVA and Forward Virginia, go to www.forwardrva.com.
May 19, 2020 Update - 4 p.m.
Chesterfield Unveils Map of Public WiFi Access Locations
Interactive map shows users where they can access the web at locations throughout the county
This week, Chesterfield County unveiled a new website designed to help citizens locate publicly-accessible, county-owned WiFi locations throughout Chesterfield. Featuring an interactive map, the Public WiFi Access Locations website allows visitors to pinpoint nearby WiFi spots and provides a link to Google Maps directions to each location.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has increased many residents’ reliance on reliable internet access, Chesterfield County’s Deputy Chief Information Officer Joseph Pugh said the new website was designed with citizens in mind.
“We are striving to provide essential services to our community that hopefully assist those most in need,” said Pugh. “Access to information online is just one of those opportunities, and we hope the map illustrates the most convenient points for residents to gain connectivity.”
With many public facilities currently closed to the public due to COVID-19, the new website also provides details on where citizens can park, stand or sit to get the best coverage. For example, the website informs visitors they may get good WiFi coverage at the Historic Courthouse, 10001 Iron Bridge Road, by parking in the spaces in front of the courthouse. At Bon Air Library, 9103 Rattlesnake Road, citizens can get good coverage from the parking lots both in front of and to the left of the library’s entrance.
When in public, however, citizens should follow social distancing guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including remaining at least six feet away from others, avoiding gathering in groups and staying away from crowded places. In addition, some public facilities have limited hours of accessibility: Chesterfield’s parks are open from dawn to dusk seven days a week while the River City Sportsplex is currently open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
If users have any concerns about facility accessibility, they are encouraged to contact that facility’s managing department prior to traveling to that location.
To find a nearby WiFi location, citizens may type in an address and pinpoint a user-defined area of up to a 30-mile radius represented by a large, blue circle on the map. Note that this circle does not show the coverage area for a given WiFi signal; it helps identify the locations of the WiFi access spots themselves.
Currently, the map features over a dozen public WiFi locations accessible from outside of county buildings and facilities currently closed to visitors. However, when facilities are once again open to the public, Chesterfield’s Department of Information System Technology intends to update the application with all public WiFi locations across the county.
Public WiFi connections should always be used with caution, and citizens are urged not to access sensitive personal data such as banking information, medical records or credit card numbers while connected to public WiFi.
To view Chesterfield’s new Public WiFi Access Locations website and begin using the interactive map, visit www.chesterfield.gov/wifi.
May 18, 2020 Update - 9:30 a.m.
Chesterfield County Economic Development Launches Let’s Take It Outside, Chesterfield
Information for business owners on how to move certain services outside
The Governor’s Executive Order 61 has moved much of Virginia into Phase One recovery under the Forward Virginia blueprint. To assist businesses as they navigate through the guidelines for reopening, Chesterfield Economic Development and the Chesterfield Chamber announce Let’s Take It Outside, Chesterfield, an online tool to provide links for guidance to our business sectors on what is required for them to reopen and operate safely under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Forward Virginia guidelines.
May 15, 2020 Update - 2:30 p.m.
Outdoor Dining Options Added to Chesterfield Eats to Go
New feature in addition to pickup and delivery information
Chesterfield Eats to Go, an online resource to help Chesterfield residents and visitors identify which restaurants near them are open for pickup or delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, has added information regarding outdoor dining!
Using a GIS mapping system format, Chesterfield Eats to Go allows patrons to zoom-in on their designated area of Chesterfield County, select one of the pinned restaurants highlighted on the map and retrieve essential contact information for their desired restaurant. The website also works on most mobile devices, allowing residents to transfer the restaurant’s address to most mobile driving apps to ensure safe and timely travel for pickup to-go orders.
The Governor’s Executive Order 61 has moved much of Virginia into Phase One recovery under the Forward Virginia blueprint. Executive Order 61 allows for restaurants to re-open with limited outdoor dining only. Restaurants can continue to provide food pick-up, delivery or drive-thru services regardless of outdoor dining capabilities. Chesterfield Eats to Go will now include those with outdoor dining options so residents can easily identify those establishments.
More restaurants will continue to be added to the system as their available services are verified. If you are a restaurant offering pickup, delivery or outside dining services but are not currently included, please complete the Chesterfield Eats to Go restaurant listing form.
May 15, 2020 Update - 9:30 a.m.
Parks and Recreation’s Virtual Recreation Programs Bring Nature, Other Activities to the Home Screen
COVID-19 pandemic brings pivot to virtual offering
When the COVID-19 pandemic started to affect Chesterfield County and services were forced to modify, the county’s Parks and Recreation Department wasted no time to pivot its programs by offering virtual recreation programs.
Since March 17, the Parks and Recreation Department has been producing virtual recreation programming for the public. Programming includes activities, tours, classes and videos all organized into different categories, such as family activities, history, nature, outdoor activities and fitness. New activities are posted daily, Monday-Friday.
“Although our recreation centers, nature center, and satellite locations are closed, the department has adapted to the new environment,” said Dr. James Worsley, Chesterfield Parks and Recreation director. “The recreation staff have done an excellent job repositioning services to a virtual format while maintaining quality programs for the community.”
The virtual recreation programs can be found on the Parks and Recreation Virtual Recreation Program webpage, on the department’s Facebook page and on the Parks and Recreation playlist on the county’s YouTube channel.
Programs include—
- All About Bees
- Family music time
- Reptiles at the Rockwood Nature Center
- River Safety with rising water levels
- Craft activities for children and families
- Fitness instruction for older adults
- Park and historical site tours, such as Dutch Gap Conservation Area and Falling Creek Ironworks Park
May 15, 2020 Update - 9 a.m.
Chesterfield Health Department to Continue Free COVID-19 Testing
Residents exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should register prior to attending
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 at two locations:
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 9 a.m.
Ettrick Community Center
20621 Woodpecker Road
Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 9 a.m.
Stonebridge Recreation Center
230 Karl Linn Drive
Testing is for individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms and is free for uninsured or underinsured persons.
While some appointments will be reserved for walk-ups that morning, testing is limited and appointments should be made prior to arriving.
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), should call the Chesterfield Health Department at 804-318-8207 starting Friday, May 15 to make an appointment for testing at one of the two sites.
Spanish speaking staff also will be present during the testing event.
May 14, 2020 Update - 5:15 p.m.
Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico Counties Send Letter to Governor
Counties ask to begin Phase One May 15; acknowledge City of Richmond may need to delay
Today, the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico sent a letter to Governor Northam conveying the readiness of the counties to comply with Executive Order Sixty-One that would allow for Phase One to begin tomorrow, Friday, May 15, 2020. Read the full letter.
In this audio recording of his Thursday, May 14 media briefing, Dr. Alexander Samuel, Chesterfield Health District director, provides updates for the Chesterfield Health District (CHD), which includes the counties of Chesterfield and Powhatan and the city of Colonial Heights. Dr. Samuel discusses current CHD case numbers, the new Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System™ (CCDS) recently installed at the Vietnam Veterans Pavilion at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, CHD free testing events in Chesterfield, cloth face coverings for both adults and children, the importance of keeping children’s vaccinations on schedule and expectations for the CHD during Phase One re-openings.
May 14, 2020 Update - 11 a.m.
Sheriff’s Office Implementing Additional Measures at Courthouses as More Cases Added to Docket
To comply with COVID-19 social distancing requirements, visitors will be screened before being granted entry to court buildings
The Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office is implementing additional measures at the Chesterfield County General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and Circuit Court to maintain social distancing to protect visitors and staff as the courts prepare to add more cases to its dockets over the coming weeks.
To limit the spread of the coronavirus known as COVID-19, effective 8 a.m. on Monday, May 18, all patrons entering the courthouse from the main entrance will be asked a series of COVID-19 screening questions and have their temperature taken. This will happen at all three of Chesterfield County courthouses.
Additionally, Sheriff’s deputies will be wearing full personal protective equipment, or PPE, during the screening process.
People who may be diagnosed with, or may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms as defined by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), should immediately contact their respective attorneys prior to their court date.
For more information regarding all the measures taking effect on Monday, May 18, read the full news release.
Visit the Chesterfield County General District Court, the Chesterfield Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, and the Chesterfield District Court website for more information about each court.
This video highlights some of the changes that visitors need to know prior to conducting business at courts.
May 13, 2020 Update - 1:30 p.m.
Chesterfield County Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System™ (CCDS)
Video shows the installation of at the Vietnam Veterans Pavilion at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds
The Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System™ (CCDS) uses a concentrated hydrogen peroxide vapor to decontaminate N95 masks, which can sustain up to 20 decontamination cycles without degrading filtration performance. This technology will help address the national shortage of critical personal protective equipment (PPE) and protect healthcare workers and first responders on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this video, take a tour of the Battelle CCDS recently installed at the Vietnam Veterans Pavilion at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds.
Read more about the three Battelle CCDS installed in Virginia in the May 2 news release on the Virginia Governor Newsroom.
May 12, 2020 Update - Noon
May 19 Planning Commission to be Held Virtually
Meeting will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams as an effort to decrease the spread of COVID-19
Due to the COVID-19 health emergency, the Tuesday, May 19 Planning Commission Meeting will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams as an effort to decrease the spread of the virus. The changes are designed to accommodate public input while encouraging the public to continue self-quarantining and practicing social distancing, as recommended by health officials. The Public Meeting Room, located at 10001 Ironbridge Road, will be closed.
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, May 18 to ensure the comments are provided to the Planning Commission for their consideration prior to the Tuesday, May 19 meeting at 6 p.m.
The agenda, staff reports and PowerPoint presentations for the Tuesday, May 19 Planning Commission Meeting can be found on www.chesterfield.gov/plan.
The Chesterfield Planning Commission Meeting will be livestreamed on WCCT Chesterfield Community Television, including Comcast channel 98 and Verizon channel 28, and on YouTube.com/ChesterfieldCountyVA.
May 11, 2020 Update - 11:45 a.m.
Chesterfield Health Department to Host Free COVID-19 Testing this Week
Residents exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should register prior to attending
As part of a statewide push to increase testing across the commonwealth, the Chesterfield Health Department is hosting free COVID-19 testing events at two locations this week:
Wednesday, May 13 at 9 a.m.
Greenleigh Mobile Home Park
14006 Stevenhurst Drive
Friday, May 15 at 9 a.m.
Bellwood Drive-In/Flea Market
9201 Jefferson Davis Highway
Testing is for individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms and is free for uninsured or underinsured persons.
While some appointments will be reserved for walk-ups that morning, testing is limited and appointments should be made prior to arriving.
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), should call the Chesterfield Health Department at 804-318-8207 starting Monday, May 11 to make an appointment for testing at one of the two sites.
Spanish speaking staff also will be present during the testing event.
The Chesterfield Health District is a state division of VDH that includes the counties of Chesterfield and Powhatan and the City of Colonial Heights.
May 11, 2020 Update - 9:30 a.m.
Governor Northam Announces Phase One Guidelines to Slowly Ease Public Health Restrictions
Phase One will begin no sooner than Friday, May 15
Governor Ralph Northam signed Executive Order Sixty-One and presented a detailed framework for the first phase of the “Forward Virginia” plan to safely and gradually ease public health restrictions while containing the spread of COVID-19. The Phase One guidelines will be implemented when the data meets the public health criteria outlined by the Commonwealth. The new executive order modifies public health guidance in Executive Order Fifty-Three and Executive Order Fifty-Five and establishes guidelines for Phase One.
The Governor’s phased approach is grounded in science and data and includes mitigation strategies to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus through enhanced safety practices. The plan allows localities to consider delaying implementation of Phase One guidelines based on local conditions.
Under Phase One, the Commonwealth will move to a Safer at Home strategy, which continues the ban on social gatherings of more than 10 people and maintains recommendations for social distancing, teleworking and wearing face coverings. All businesses should make modifications to maintain six feet of physical distancing, increase cleaning and sanitization of high contact surfaces and provide enhanced workplace safety measures.
Many of the restrictions put in place by Executive Order Fifty-Three will remain in place in Phase One. Entertainment and public amusement venues will remain closed and beaches will continue to be open only for exercise and fishing. Childcare centers remain open for children of working families. Overnight summer camps will remain closed in Phase One.
- Virginia Forward Guidelines (Website)
- Virginia Forward Guidelines - Phase One (PDF)
- Governor’s Graphs and Slides from Friday, May 8 Presentation (PDF)
- Executive Order Sixty-One and Order of Public Health Emergency Three (PDF)
Read the full news release on the Virginia Governor Newsroom.
May 8, 2020 Update - 6:15 p.m.
County Planning to Reopen Some Facilities
Tiered approach will see park amenities and some libraries reopen first
A tiered approach to reopening county facilities closed by the COVID-19 pandemic could see outdoor park amenities and some libraries reopening very soon.
A multifaceted county task force is developing a plan aimed at the gradual reopening of county facilities while continuing health precautions in accordance with state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, including ongoing spatial distancing, crowd limits and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
In accordance with some state restrictions being lifted to allow certain nonessential businesses or operations to reopen, Chesterfield plans to reopen pickleball, tennis and basketball courts and playgrounds at county parks as soon as Tuesday, May 12 and reopen select libraries possibly by Monday, June 1. Community recreation centers, as well as the popular Rockwood Nature Center, are also expected to open Monday, June 1.
All reopen dates are tentative and subject to change based on data showing how well we are controlling the spread of the coronavirus.
Read the full news release for more information.
May 8, 2020 Update - 9:30 a.m.
Local Government Goes Virtual with ’Chesterfield 101’
Program geared towards high school students includes overview of Chesterfield government
With school out for the remainder of the semester, Chesterfield County is helping students keep up with their government studies by hosting Chesterfield 101, a virtual program designed to teach high school students how their local government works.
In the past, Chesterfield 101 was held in-person but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was moved to a virtual format in an effort to decrease the spread of the virus.
Three upcoming interactive sessions will be offered through Microsoft Teams, each lasting about an hour. The dates and times are:
- Tuesday, May 19 at 2 p.m.
- Thursday, May 21 at 10 a.m.
- Thursday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m.
While Chesterfield 101 is a free virtual learning source targeted toward all Chesterfield high school students, registration is required as online slots are limited to the first 30 students per session.
County Administrator Dr. Joe Casey will provide a virtual welcome at each session.
The county’s Citizen Information and Resources Department started the program last year with the goal of educating Chesterfield’s youth on the basics of county government including, but not limited to, the districts, the Board of Supervisors and their positions, the budget, the broad spectrum of departments and positions/careers within the county, how government impacts residents (including teens) and how citizens can be involved with your local government.
May 7, 2020 Update - 9 a.m.
Chesterfield Registrar’s Office Encourages County Voters to Request Absentee Ballot
Last day to request an absentee ballot by mail is Tuesday, June 16
To help limit the spread of COVID-19, the Chesterfield County General Registrar’s Office is strongly encouraging its registered voters to seek an absentee by mail ballot for the Tuesday, June 23 Democratic and Republican Primary elections.
Voters may choose reason code 2A, disability or illness, to vote absentee in the elections, per Governor Ralph Northam’s Executive Order 56 to change the date of the June primary elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While absentee voting begins Friday, May 8, the last day to request an absentee ballot through the mail is Tuesday, June 16. All requests for absentee ballots by mail must be received by the Registrar’s Office at 9848 Lori Road by 5 p.m.
For more information regarding requesting absentee ballot applications online, fax and in-person, visit the Registrar’s Office webpage.
While state and local election officials are encouraging voters to seek an absentee by mail ballot because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, voters planning to vote in person may continue to do so. However, please anticipate longer than normal wait times as there will be a limited number of voting booths at each location.
Furthermore, the Chesterfield Registrar’s Office is requesting all voters who plan to vote in-person, either absentee or on Election Day, wear a face mask for your protection and continue to follow social distancing and health measures as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For more information, read the full news release.
May 5, 2020 Update - 10 a.m.
ChamberRVA and Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond Host Response to COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall
Free Friday, May 8 meeting focuses on corporate social responsibility
Join ChamberRVA and the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond for a virtual town hall meeting that provides a regional overview of the community response to COVID-19, stories from business leaders and a look forward to how everyone can continue to help as the community recovers from the effects of the pandemic.
This event is free for both members and non-members, but there is limited space - admission will be on a first come-first serve basis.
Upon signing up for the meeting, you will receive a confirmation email that contains the link to the Zoom Webinar for the meeting on Friday, May 8, 2020 from 10-11 a.m.
Panelists will include:
- Sherrie Brach Armstrong, President and CEO, Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond
- Brian Anderson, President and CEO, ChamberRVA
- Neil Amin, CEO, Shamin Hotels
- Paul Tribble, Founder and CEO, Ledbury
- Amber Tillman, Community and Economic Development, Facebook
- Vanessa Diamond, Senior Vice President - Civic Innovations, Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond
May 4, 2020 Update - 12:30 p.m.
A Message from the Deputy County Administrator for Community Development
Jesse Smith discusses how Community Development has adapted due to COVID-19
In this video, Deputy County Administrator for Community Development Jesse Smith talks about how departments in his division are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 4, 2020 Update - 9 a.m.
Governor Announces Chesterfield to Receive Critical Care Decontamination System
Unit can sterilize up to 80,000 units of PPE per day
Governor Ralph Northam announced on Saturday, May 2 that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Virginia to receive three Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System™ (CCDS) that can collectively sterilize up to 240,000 units of personal protective equipment (PPE) per day for reuse. The three systems will be operational in the Town of Blacksburg, the City of Newport News, and Chesterfield County within the next week.
The Battelle CCDS™ uses a concentrated hydrogen peroxide vapor to decontaminate N95 masks, which can sustain up to 20 decontamination cycles without degrading filtration performance. This technology will help address the national shortage of critical PPE and protect healthcare workers and first responders on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The three systems are being installed at the Marching Virginians Center on the Virginia Tech campus, a warehouse site in the Hampton Roads Sanitation District, and the Vietnam Veterans Pavilion at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds.
The Battelle CCDS™ is available at no cost to the Commonwealth for the first six months of use. These systems are federally funded through FEMA and the Defense Logistics Agency, and health care providers will not be charged for the decontamination services.
The Virginia Emergency Support Team is developing processes to ensure that PPE is picked up and returned to the same facility for safe and efficient reuse. Health care providers and first responder organizations interested in using the Battelle CCDS™ can enroll here.
Read the full news release on the Virginia Governor Newsroom.
May 1, 2020 Update - 4:30 p.m.
Chesterfield launches #InThisTogetherCfield Facebook and Instagram initiative
County seeks positive images of Chesterfield residents and businesses coping with life during the COVID-19 pandemic
Life goes on – even if it’s during a pandemic.
As the coronavirus, or COVID-19, continues to keep many Chesterfield residents at home, the county is launching the #InThisTogetherCfield initiative to bring the community together while we are staying apart.
The county is asking residents and businesses to share photos of all the good that is happening right here in Chesterfield.
Using the #InThisTogetherCfield hashtag, submit your photos and a few sentences, if needed, to cm@chesterfield.gov.
We plan to share your images on our Facebook and Instagram pages throughout the month of May to show how residents are getting on during the pandemic, and to emphasis community togetherness during these unprecedented times.
Show us your best shot!
How are you staying connected to your loved ones? Have you have taken up a new hobby during this time? Share it with us. Are you volunteering? Show us. Are you are writing positive messages in chalk on your neighbor’s driveway or delivering a meal on their porch? We want to see it. Share with us how are you are working from home or going into work. Show us how you are helping your kids with school work during this time.
We are #InThisTogetherCfield, and while we may be apart, we know we will be together again soon.