[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] City of Alexandria Facilities Closed or Open by Appointment Only, Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

[Ian]

City of Alexandria Facilities Closed or Open by Appointment Only, Due to
COVID-19 Pandemic

*For Immediate Release: March 22, 2020*

To promote social distancing during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, all
City of Alexandria facilities are now either closed to the public or open
by appointment only, until further notice. Customers may call 311 or
703.746.4311 to request in-person information or service. If the request
cannot be resolved over the phone or online, the customer will be
accommodated in person if possible.

“As we continue to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our area,
the City is enhancing its social distancing measures by limiting access to
City facilities,” said City Manager Mark Jinks. “While these measures are
intended to respond to staff shortages and the Governor’s call to avoid
non-essential gatherings of more than 10 people, City government remains
operational and we will do our best to serve customers through alternate
means.”

All City recreation, nature and art centers; museums and indoor historic
sites; and library branches are closed to the public. All other facilities,
including City Hall, are open by appointment only. City officials will
continuously re-evaluate these plans based on the status of the outbreak
and guidance from the Alexandria Health Department. Facilities that are not
closed may have modified hours of operation. More information on closures,
cancellations and other operational changes can be found at
alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus <https://www.alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus#city>
.

Residents, businesses, and visitors who need to access City services may
use alternate means in order to complete necessary transactions, including
the following examples:

   -

   Over 175 City services are available through Alex311 on the web at
   alexandriava.gov/Alex311 <https://www.alexandriava.gov/Alex311>; via the
   Alex311 app for iOS <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alex311/id1460145967>
    or Android
   <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.alexandriava.apps.alex311.customer>;
   at @AlexandriaVA311 on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/AlexandriaVA311>
    or Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/AlexandriaVA311>; or by calling 311
   or 703.746.4311, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.
   to noon. Voicemail is available after hours and during heavy call volume,
   and messages will be returned in a timely fashion.
   - Facilities will be open to the public for in-person meetings of City
   Council or boards or commissions as required by state law. However, the
   public is strongly encouraged to follow meetings at
   alexandriava.gov/Dockets <https://www.alexandriava.gov/Dockets> rather
   than attending in person. Check the City Calendar
   <https://www.alexandriava.gov/Calendar> in advance of a public hearing
   for ways to participate online or by phone.
   -

   The City will continue to maintain its multi-departmental “virtual” Permit
   Center <https://www.alexandriava.gov/PermitCenter> in City Hall while
   the physical center is limited. The Permit Center allows customers to
   obtain construction-related permits and development review at one central
   location and includes staff members from Code Administration, Finance,
   Planning and Zoning, and Transportation and Environmental Services.
   -

   Customers may make payments for taxes, fees, guest permits and parking
   citations through the City’s online payment portal
   <https://www.alexandriava.gov/Payments>, by mail (City of Alexandria, PO
   Box 1423 Alexandria, VA 22313-1423), or by using the 24-hours payment drop
   box on the Royal Street side of City Hall for checks and money orders (no
   cash). For questions about payments, contact the Treasury Division at
   payments at alexandriava.gov or call 311 or 703.746.4311.
   -

   Voters are encouraged to request absentee ballots online
   <https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/> from the Virginia Department of
   Elections, and residents not currently registered to vote are
encouraged to register
   to vote online <https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/> through the
   Virginia Department of Elections. For questions about registering or
   voting, call 311 or 703.746.4311.
   -

   With ongoing concerns about evictions, foreclosures, and housing
   insecurity during this difficult time, the Office of Housing will be
   available for questions by calling 311 or 703.746.4311. Information
on Office
   of Housing services and programs <https://www.alexandriava.gov/Housing>,
   including contact information for each specific service or program, is
   available on the City’s website.
   -

   The Office of the City Attorney offers online options for requests for
   public records <https://www.alexandriava.gov/FOIA> and requests for
   review of parking citations <https://www.alexandriava.gov/Parking>.
   -

   The Office of Human Rights will continue to receive and investigate
   complaints of discrimination under the Alexandria Human Rights Code and
   applicable federal and state laws. The Office of Human Rights enforces
   antidiscrimination laws in the City by investigating alleged discrimination
   in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, health and
   social services, education, credit and retaliation. Residents who suspect
   they are being illegally discriminated against can continue to call 311 or
   703.746.4311, or fill out an intake form
   <https://www.alexandriava.gov/humanrights/info/default.aspx?id=57656> on
   the City’s website.
   -

   Candidates for City government jobs may continue to apply for employment
   <https://www.alexandriava.gov/HR> on the City’s website.

*For more information about the COVID-19 coronavirus and how you can help
protect yourself and those around you, visit alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus
<https://www.alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus>. For questions about COVID-19,
call the Alexandria COVID-19 Information Line at 703.746.4988, weekdays
from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Virginia residents can also call the Virginia
Department of Health public information line, 877.ASK.VDH3, for questions
about the novel coronavirus situation. If you have chest pain or shortness
of breath, call or text 911.*

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Craig Fifer, Director of
Communications and Public Information, at craig.fifer at alexandriava.gov or
703.746.3965.

# # #

This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/114337
<https://www.alexandriava.gov/114337>.