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Covington Covid-19 Update

 
(Editor's note: the following is a detailed news release from the city manager's office in Covington.)

Covington, VA (Nov. 25, 2020) -

The City of Covington would like to convey how important it is to continue taking actions to stay safe during these unprecedented times. The (COVID-19) cases in the City of Covington and Alleghany Highlands are continuing to rise throughout the area at a rapid pace. We urge citizens to take precautions and stay safe during their Thanksgiving traditions.

The City of Covington is continuing to monitor the case counts of (COVID-19) and is continuing its enhanced measures to diminish potential exposure as much as possible. The goal is to protect those we serve as well as our Employees who keep the City running.

To Remain in effect from November 24th, 2020, The City will continue the below measures to ensure the safety of all with regards to services and facilities. We truly appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation during these unprecedented and constantly changing times. We will continue to update you as new information becomes available. We would like to wish everyone a safe and healthy Thanksgiving! Please stay safe, healthy, and remember that we are #AllInThisTogether.

GOVERNOR'S MANDATE:

• Effective: Sunday, November 15, 2020:

o There will be a 25-person limit on indoor and outdoor gatherings, down from 250 o There is an expanded mask requirement, including children aged 5+

o A 10:00 p.m. on-site alcohol curfew.

o Be aware of increased enforcement.

THANKSGIVING & UPCOMING HOLIDAY INFORMATION:

• City of Covington Thanksgiving Information:

o City of Covington offices will be closing at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, November

25, 2020, and closed on Thursday & Friday, November 26-27, 2020 in observance

of Thanksgiving Day.

o Refuse collection for Monday, November 23, and Tuesday, November 24 will be

collected on Monday, Nov. 23. Refuse collection for Wednesday, November 25, and Thursday, November 26 will be collected on Tuesday, November 24. Refuse collection for Friday, November 27 will be collected on Wednesday, November 25.

o The Peter’s Mountain Landfill and State Offices (Commissioner of Revenue, Treasurer, and Registrar) will also be on the above schedule.

o All offices will be available by phone or e-mail on Monday, November 30, 2020. • Live Stream Covington Christmas Tree Lighting:

(Hometown Christmas Celebration)

o November 29, 2020

o Time: 5:45 - 6:00 p.m.

o Location: City of Covington Notifications Facebook Page & City of Covington,

VA Page, Covington Parks & Recreation Page.

o Covington Parks and Recreation will continue our Christmas Tree Lighting

Celebration this year, even though things are going to look a little different because of COVID-19. This year we will be LIVE STREAMING THE EVENT ONLINE. Unfortunately, we will not be able to host an in-person event due to the pandemic restrictions. The lighting of the tree will be the only portion of the event that will take place this year. We will begin our live stream at 5:45 p.m. with 15 minutes of Christmas Music before the Tree Lighting, which will take place at 6:00 p.m. Please be sure to tune in online this year to see the tradition come to light.

• Zoomin’ with Santa!

o Date: December 8, 2020

o Location: You’re Phone, Your Computer, or other Electronic Devices

o Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

o The Covington Parks & Recreation Department is pleased to announce a different way to tell Santa how good you have been this year! We will be providing the opportunity to Zoom Call with Santa! You will need to preregister for this event to be able to have a time slot to speak with Santa. You can register beginning December 1, 2020, by calling The Recreation Office at (540) 965-6360. We will need your child's name, parent's phone number, and email address. We have a limited number of spaces so please be sure to pre-register your child to have as much time to talk to Santa as possible. Directions and details will be given to each pre-registered participant. Don’t Miss Your Chance to Zoom with Santa!

REMAINING IN EFFECT:

• The Departments within Covington’s City Hall

o Will remain closed to the public until further notice for walk-ins.

o Offices will continue teleworking outside of the building through Friday,

January 1, 2021.

• Anyone in need of assistance is asked to please contact those

offices, via telephone or email. Numbers and email addresses for City Hall Offices are located on the City’s Website: www.covington.va.us

o Payments for Utilities and other items such as taxes can be made by placing them in the dropbox on the side of City Hall. We urge citizens to leave a check or money order, please no cash. Payments over the phone will resume this week.

• The Covington Public Works Department will remain closed to the public until further notice.

o The Department will be running a skeleton crew and teleworking, through January 1, 2021.

o The City will be answering Emergency Public Works Requests with a limited capacity.

o If you need assistance, please contact the Office at (540) 965-6321 or (540) 965-6322.

o If an emergency arises we encourage you to contact Covington Dispatch at (540) 965-6333 anytime 24/7.

o Towards the end of December, the City will reevaluate the status of COVID-19 cases and will update our citizens and businesses on what if any services changes can be made safe for all.

• City of Covington Facilities & Sponsored Events

o The City of Covington will not have any events that take place within any

of the City’s Facilities through Friday, January 1, 2021 pending case counts and other guidelines as indoor gatherings with individuals outside one's house remain a high risk for transmission.

• These include Jackson River Sports Complex, All Park Shelters, Red Train Depot, The Jeter-Watson Center, etc.... We apologize for any inconvenience but we must take steps to keep everyone healthy, and safe.

• With the Governor's mandate placing a capacity on gatherings of no more than 25, the City will no longer be booking any events at our facilities until after the first of the year, if the mandate is lifted.

o Towards the end of December, the City will reevaluate the status of COVID-19 cases as well as the Governor's Mandate and will update the citizens, in the direction that the City will take with events and other efforts, as our goal is health and safety for all.
 
 
 

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