With only five reported cases in the city so far, COVID-19 has had a huge impact on Alexandria residents, businesses and the city government.
There has been one reported instance of price gouging, with packages of 10 rolls of Charmin Ultra Soft toilet paper being sold for more than $60 at the Food Star at 206 W. Glebe Road.
While other public locations are closing across town due to coronavirus concerns, the Torpedo Factory Art Center remains open — though not without some degree of controversy across social media.
While the galleries are open, many of the artist studios may be empty after the city and the Torpedo Factory Artists Association (TFAA) said that artists concerned about their health were encouraged to close their studios for the time being.
As customers stay at home to help flatten the curve of COVID-19’s spread, many Alexandria retailers are feeling the strain. There are still ways, however, to support your local businesses without breaking quarantine.
The Del Ray Business Association has put together a list of social distancing-friendly specials in the area that will help locals support small businesses without exposing yourself or others to coronavirus.
Starting Thursday, Alexandria’s DASH bus system will operate on an enhanced weekend schedule in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
DASH General Manager Josh Baker tells ALXnow that ridership has already decreased significantly.
ACPS Releases Samples of Daily Schedules For Students — Alexandria City Public Schools, in their daily 1 p.m. update to parents, released sample daily schedules for students. The schedule includes time to wake up, taking a morning walk and three-and-a-half hours of academic time. [ACPS]
Alexandria Libraries Close Thru March 31 — “This was a difficult decision to make as we know how much people rely on their libraries to support their educational, entertainment, and recreational needs. However, libraries are a hub of community activity with some branches drawing hundreds of visitors per day.” [Alexandria Library]
The Alexandria Health Department is investigating three new positive cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the city announced in an update on Tuesday night.
There are now five confirmed cases in the city at this time. The first was identified on March 11 and the second on March 15.
The Office of Historic Alexandria announced this morning (Tuesday) that it will be shutting down immediately and taking most of the city’s museums with it.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority on Tuesday announced further reduced services at its Metro stations in Alexandria and throughout the region in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The news comes after a Metro Transit Police Officer tested positive for the virus on Monday.
Alexandria City Public Schools handed out 5,000 free meals on Monday — the first day of the system-wide shut down that is forcing nearly 16,000 students to stay home for a month.
Approximately 20 ACPS kitchen staff prepare the meals, which include breakfasts and lunches, in the T.C. cafeteria. Meals include milk, bagels, breakfast bars, fruit and vegetables, sandwiches and nonperishable items. Families are encouraged to take home up to a week’s worth of provisions to reduce trips, regardless of their eligibility for free and reduced-price meals.
Alexandria Restaurant Partners on Wednesday will shutter all of its businesses and stop work for 450 of its employees at all of its locations in the city, with the exception of Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap.
The closure is in response to Governor Ralph Northam’s recommendation on Tuesday that establishments within the state enforce 10-person gathering standards, which effectively shuts down indoor dining.
The Alexandria City Council is considering steps for its COVID-19 response and recovery, including the suspension of the city’s dining tax collection.
Mayor Justin Wilson, in a Tuesday memorandum to the city manager’s office, outlined a number of measures that the city can take to mitigate the impact of the emergency.
