Arlington County Cases: • June 8: 2,256 • June 1: 2,123

Virginia Cases: • June 8: 51,251 • June 1: 45,398

United States Cases: • June 8: 1,920,904 • June 1: 1,761,503

Arlington County Deaths: • June 8: 122 • June 1: 116

Virginia Deaths: • June 8: 1,477 • June 1: 1,392

United States Deaths: • June 8: 109,901 • June 1: 103,700

Next Saturday, June 13

Coronavirus response funding – The Arlington Board will take action to accept $413,265 in federal CARES Act funding from the state. The funding would be used to expand services that provide home-delivered meals, in-home care services, respite care for caregivers and information, and referral to supportive services to Arlingtonians age 60 and older and their caregivers. With the funding, the County would be able to serve home-delivered meals to up to 240 more adults than now served and to provide 575 more hours of in-home caregiver respite services. To read the staff report, scroll to Item No. 26 on the agenda.

Tuesday, June 9

BACKLOGGED TESTS: Starting on June 9, the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 data dashboard will reflect 13,000 additional tests that were backlogged. Over the next couple of days, this new information will be slowly added to the current data, which will result in an influx of results.

Monday, June 8

EVICTIONS HALTED, FOR NOW: A temporary statewide moratorium on all eviction proceedings in Virginia is in effect through June 28, said Gov. Ralph Northam. The temporary moratorium will halt all eviction proceedings for a period of nearly three weeks, as the Northam administration implements a comprehensive rent relief program for the thousands of Virginians facing housing insecurity in the midst of this public health crisis.

“I am grateful to the Chief Justice for granting this order, and for the activists who have been working tirelessly on this important issue,” said Northam. “Access to safe and stable housing is critically important, and this action will keep thousands of families in their homes as we work to get them the support they need.”

Details of the Governor’s rent relief initiative, supported by federal CARES Act funding, will be announced in the coming weeks. Visit https://www.stayhomevirginia.com/ for more information and resources on tenant rights.

Friday, June 5

Effective Friday, June 5, Arlington County will reopen numerous park amenities for people who practice social distancing and follow the posted guidelines. Reopened amenities will include: athletic fields (with restrictions), batting cages, bocce courts, disc golf course, pickleball courts, picnic shelters (with restrictions), skate park, tennis courts, tracks.

“We are cautiously opening up some of our park amenities as we move through this unprecedented time,” said Parks & Recreation Director Jane Rudolph. “We’re pleased to be able to give our community more opportunities to be active in our parks. We ask that people continue to stay safe and practice social distancing, which will help us stop the spread and stay open.

FIRST COME FIRST SERVE: At this time, organized sports, special events and organized activities and instruction are not permitted. Access to various amenities, such as courts and shelters are first-come, first-served; there are no court reservations at this time. Signage in the parks outlines specific guidance for each amenity.

STILL CLOSED: Due to health safety concerns, these park amenities continue to be closed: community and nature centers, basketball courts, dog parks, playgrounds, restrooms, including portable restrooms, spraygrounds, and volleyball courts. While previously planned to be opened during this phase, dog parks will remain closed because the number of people who use them would prevent proper social distancing.

As the County looks towards reopening additional park amenities, staff will continue to monitor guidance from national, state and local health officials. Park visitors are asked to adhere to the physical distancing and small group guidelines. Don’t use any closed park amenities. Face masks are recommended where proper distancing is not possible. People who are sick or who have recently been exposed to COVID-19 should stay home.

SIGNAGE: Through Friday, June 5, Department of Parks and Recreation personnel will be working to replace signage, unlock and prep amenities, and conduct general park maintenance. Work may not be complete in every park by Friday. If you see an incorrect sign or a facility that should be unlocked, email dpr@arlingtonva.us.

REST OF VIRGINIA: Virginia entered Phase Two on Friday, June 5, as key statewide health metrics continue to show positive signs. Under Phase Two, the Commonwealth will maintain a Safer at Home strategy with continued recommendations for social distancing, teleworking, and requiring individuals to wear face coverings in indoor public settings. But the Governor directed Northern Virginia and Richmond to remain in Phase One.

Visit https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus/forwardvirginia/ for more.

Thursday, June 4

PROTESTORS CAN SEEK TESTING: The Virginia Department of Health wants to ensure all Virginians, including those participating in protests, know how to access publicly-available COVID-19 tests. The nature of large protests means the virus may spread more easily there, especially if protesters are not wearing masks. The health department has communicated with local health districts where protests have occurred and are encouraging those districts to share information with protesters about community testing events and pharmacy locations where COVID-19 tests are available. All Virginians may get tested if they experience symptoms of COVID-19 or if they believe they have been exposed to others with infections.

Access VDH’s online symptom checker, CovidCheck at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covidcheck/

Find publicly-available tests at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites/

MILITARY FAMILIES: The Child Care Affordability and Accessibility for Military Families Act would make child care more affordable and accessible for military families.

“Affordable, accessible childcare is so important, and military families who have to contend with the constant instability that results from frequent moves need our support,” said Senator Tim Kaine. “I’m pleased to introduce legislation to improve and lower the cost of childcare and standardize policies ensuring access to that care so that our military can focus on serving our nation.”

The Child Care Affordability & Accessibility for Military Families Act would reduce child care costs for certain paygrades, require currently optional fee waivers and reductions, ensure competitive hiring practices to recruit high-quality child care providers, and expand programs that have already been voluntarily implemented by one branch of service, or which are being utilized on an ad hoc basis – improving and standardizing policies across the military and reducing the financial burden of child care for all military families.

Wednesday, June 3

ESSENTIAL CHILD CARE: U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and Senator Patty Murray introduced the Child Care is Essential Act, legislation to create a $50 billion program that if passed into law would give Virginia $986 million to help child care providers safely reopen and operate and stabilize the child care sector. These grants would help child care providers and working families by:ensuring that the grants adequately support providers’ operating expenses and funding gets to them quickly; requiring that providers continue to pay their staff; providing tuition and copayment relief for working families; promoting health and safety through compliance with public health guidance; prioritizing providers that serve underserved populations; ensuring grants are awarded equitably across child care settings; and conducting oversight through robust reporting requirements.