Fairfax County Public Schools is expanding the number of grab-and-go sites and adding several pop-up options throughout the county.

Students can pick up breakfast from 8-10:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at one of the 39 sites in the county. The service is intended for students under the age of 18 who rely on free and reduced-price school meals. Adults can also purchase meals for $2.

On Wednesday (March 18), the county announced that its food truck will travel to nine pop-up sites in the county. The truck is expected to swing by South Lakes High School between 11-11:30 a.m.

Beginning today (Thursday), school buses will also deliver meals along some bus routes by stopping at designated intersections. The schedule is available online.

Local grab-and-go sites are below:

• Herndon Elementary School (630 Dranesville Road)
• Dogwood Elementary School (12300 Glade Drive)
• Hutchison Elementary School (13209 Parcher Avenue)
• Forest Edge Elementary School (1501 Becontree Lane)
• Coates Elementary School (2460 River Burch Road)

The complete list is available online. An online map created by the county also allows users to search for food distribution sites in the area.

Photo via FCPS

(Updated 4:55 p.m.) Drive-thru coronavirus testing sites are starting to pop up around the U.S. to screen patients for the virus.

Fairfax County doesn’t have any plans at the moment to open a drive-through testing site, Ali Althen, a spokesperson for Fairfax County, told Tysons Reporter yesterday.

“The decision to open sites would likely be made by the medical community and not the county government,” Althen said.

Earlier this week, Arlington County and Virginia Hospital teamed up for a drive-thru testing site to cut down on the number of people trying to get tested at hospitals and doctor’s offices.

“Arlington residents, county and school system employees and Virginia Hospital Center patients, who are experiencing symptoms consistent with coronavirus and have a written order from a healthcare provider, will be eligible for testing,” ARLnow reported.

While Fairfax County hasn’t teamed up with the hospital, there is a testing site atop the parking garage outside Kaiser Permanente’s facility in Tysons, WTOP reported.

“Kaiser has set up five different sites across the region for members with a doctor’s prescription for testing,” WTOP reported. “The health maintenance organization has testing sites in Baltimore, Largo, Gaithersburg, Tysons Corner and Woodbridge.”

As of Thursday morning, the Virginia Department of Health says there are 77 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the commonwealth, with 14 in Fairfax County.

If the county does decide to open drive-thru sites, it would let people know “across our channels to help members of the public find and make use of those sites as necessary and appropriate,” Althen said.

On Thursday afternoon, Fairfax County released more information about testing sites:

Up until recently, COVID-19 testing was only available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state laboratories, with local health departments like ours helping to coordinate and facilitate those tests based on very specific testing criteria. Now that we have commercial laboratories testing capability, physicians have wider latitude to order testing.

Still, several challenges have limited testing for Fairfax County residents:

1. With shortages of personal protective equipment across the nation, health care providers who lack recommended protective equipment may not test because of the risk to their health and ability to continue providing care in the community.
2. The materials needed for specimen collection before being sent to the lab are in limited supply nationwide.

The Health Department does not evaluate patients or collect specimens for commercial testing because these functions are best performed by primary care providers, urgent care centers or Emergency Departments where a complete medical evaluation, radiology, and other types of laboratory testing are available.

Let us know what you think of the coronavirus drive-thru sites in the poll below.

Photo via CDC/Unsplash

As concerns grow about the coronavirus, state and county officials, along with Dominion Energy, want residents to beware scams related to the virus.

“As the coronavirus public health emergency continues, scam artists are taking advantage [of] the situation,” one of the many alerts from Fairfax County said.

Coronavirus Scam Prevention

Due to Virginia’s declared state of emergency, the county noted that it is unlawful of suppliers to sell, lease or license any necessary goods and services “at an unconscionable price.”

As of yesterday (Tuesday), spokespeople for Fairfax County and FCPD haven’t received any reports about scams related to the coronavirus.

Earlier in March, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring urged residents to be wary of coronavirus scams, which could include products for sale claiming to prevent the virus, misinformation or fake solicitations for coronavirus victims, according to a press release.

“Unfortunately, scammers oftentimes take advantage of natural disasters or public health fears like the coronavirus to make a buck,” Herring said in the press release.

The press release offered tips for people to combat scams:

• Look out for emails that claim to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying that they have information about the coronavirus. For the most updated information you can visit the CDC and the World Health Organization websites.
• Do not click on any links from unknown sources. This could lead to downloading a virus on your computer or phone.
• Ignore any offers, online or otherwise, for a coronavirus vaccine. If you see any advertisements for prevention, treatment or cures ask the question: if there had been a cure for the disease would you be hearing about that through an advertisement or sales pitch?
• Thoroughly research any organizations or charities purporting to be raising funds for victims of the coronavirus.
• Look out for “investment opportunities” surrounding the coronavirus. According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission there are online promotions claiming the products or services of certain publicly-traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure the disease and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase because of that.

“It is so important that Virginians stay vigilant and do their research before giving their money to anyone purporting to sell preventative medications or raising funds for victims,” Herring said.

Scams Often Target Seniors

Dominion Energy is working with police to get the scammers’ phone numbers shut down, according to Peggy Fox, a Dominion Energy spokesperson.

“Dominion Energy will never make threatening phone calls, demand you pay over the phone or ask you to pay with prepaid cards,” Fox said.

Often, the scammers — claiming to be from Dominion Energy — will call people and threaten to cut off service if payments aren’t made immediately, Fox said.

“They direct their victims to another number and when you call it (which I have) you may hear our Dominion Energy voice recording — which they’ve stolen,” Fox said, adding that they will also tell people to buy pre-paid cards for payment.

Tips from Dominion Energy on how to spot scams:

• While robocall scams can be relatively easy to spot, effective scammers continue to make personal phone calls. Some scammers may employ scare tactics, while others will try to gain your trust by sounding friendly and sympathetic.
• Many utility scammers try to instill fear and a sense of urgency by threatening immediate service disconnection if you don’t provide payment information over the phone or agree to pay your energy bill with a prepaid debit or gift card.
• Dominion Energy does not make calls requesting immediate payment or require customers to pay with prepaid cards of any kind.
• Some utility impostors may falsify their caller ID to appear they are using a local number or even Dominion Energy’s customer service number. When in doubt, hang up and call the number located on your energy bill.
• Don’t let anyone into your home unless you have a previously scheduled appointment or have called about an issue. Always check for proper identification before letting personnel in. Additionally, utility workers won’t ask you to pay an energy bill in person.
• Hang up. Customers can always verify their account balance and payment due date by signing into their dominionenergy.com account or calling 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357).

“These scams are widespread in each of the 18 states we serve. They’re relentless in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, where we provide electrical service,” Fox said, adding that they often target seniors.

Additionally, Dominion Energy is waiving reconnection and late fees, along with donating $1 million to relief organizations to help people impacted by the coronavirus.

Suspect It’s a Scammer?

So what happens if a scammer calls? Hang up and call these places.

People who have questions or concerns about scams can contact the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Section at 800-552-9963 or the county’s Consumer Affairs Branch at 703-222‐8435, TTY 711.

People who think they’ve received a scam call regarding Dominion Energy should hang up and report the calls to Dominion Energy and the police.

Photo by Jonah Pettrich on Unsplash

Seniors and immunocompromised people can now shop for groceries with heightened caution at The Fresh Market.

From 8-9 a.m. each day at all of the locations, including the one in Vienna (150 Branch Road SE), people who are elderly or have immune system issues are invited to shop at the store, according to store manager Doug Dundall.

Though they are not “policing ” this policy, the store’s management asks that people who are young and healthy to shop at other times.

When it comes to cleanliness, Dundall noted that the company has instituted heightened measures.

“We have strict cleaning policies at the store to go the extra mile,” he said.

For shoppers who don’t want to go out at all, there are several companies, like Whole Foods, that deliver groceries.

Image via Google Maps

An employee at a building in Fairfax Square in Tysons has tested positive for coronavirus, JBG SMITH said.

“We were notified that an employee of one of our tenants at 8075 Leesburg Pike had tested positive for COVID-19,” JBG SMITH said in a statement to Tysons Reporter.

Located along Leesburg Pike directly behind Tysons Corner Center, Fairfax Square consists of several buildings with commercial and office space.

The building at 8075 Leesburg Pike houses Mynd Spa, Elegance by Roya, Roche Bobois Paris and Liljenquist & Beckstead on the ground floor, along with several office tenants.

JBG SMITH did not say which tenant the coronavirus patient works for.

More from the statement:

The ongoing health and well-being of our tenants, employees, vendors, and visitors to our buildings is our top priority.  We are regularly monitoring developments related to COVID-19 and will continue to follow all of the guidance provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and local health authorities.

A notification was then issued in the building and work began to “fully disinfect and sanitize the tenant’s interior space and common space,” the statement said.

An environmental contractor disinfected and sanitized the building’s lobby and common areas, the statement said.

“We also maximized the fresh outdoor air coming into the building and replaced all air filters,” JBG SMITH said. “After the close of business that same day, we brought in another environmental contractor to perform a second deep clean of all common areas in the building.”

Arjun Chaudhary, an employee at Roche Bobois Paris, told Tysons Reporter that building management has been keeping the furniture retailer regularly updated.

“They are doing a fairly decent,” he said. “There are so many hand sanitizers at every entrance.”

Chaudhary said that the sick employee did not work at Roche Bobois Paris, which is currently open to shoppers.

Ashley Hopko contributed to this story

Image via Google Maps

(Updated at 5:40 p.m.) Caffe Amouri wants to reduce close contact between the people coming to the Vienna coffeehouse, as concerns spread about the coronavirus outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people stay six feet away from each other to lower the risk of spreading the virus.

“Helping everyone ‘Keep their distance,'” the cafe tweeted along with a video showing large “X”s made of masking tape on the ground leading up the cafe.

In another video, owner Michael Amouri shared that the “X”s, which are six feet apart, lead to a window counter — formerly the front door — where people can place their orders and pay. The orders will be filled inside and then brought outside to the customers.

At the window service, one cashier wearing gloves places the order, while another person goes to get the coffee, Amouri told Tysons Reporter. Each drink is brought out on its own pedestal so that customers won’t touch the tray, he said.

Amouri said that he ordered 10 stylus pens that will be sanitized after every use so “no customer will be touching a pen that a previous customer touched.”

Tuesday evening, the coffeehouse announced on Instagram that it won’t accept cash while the coronavirus concerns are growing.

On Facebook, the coffeehouse announced on March 13 that all of its events are temporarily canceled. In other videos, Amouri said that other recent changes include:

• in-house cups won’t be used
• cups that people bring won’t be used
• all drinks will be served in paper to-go cups

Amouri said that people who don’t want to come to the shop can order beans online — “We’re getting hit by a ton of those” — and buy gift cards for future visits.

Amouri said that the cafe’s staff keeps stepping up its coronavirus-related efforts. At first, the employees were sanitizing the shop shift by shift and the hour by hour.

As more and more people started to telework, Amouri noticed that the shop was getting more crowded, which prompted him to switch to the outdoor counter last Saturday — an idea from one of his employees.

“The danger shifted from their workplace to our shop,” he said. “I’m really concerned about our staff.”

Amouri said that he has given his employees two weeks paid vacation so that they can stay home if they feel sick.

“I just want to keep my staff working. That’s really important to me,” he said. “Even if we don’t break even, which we probably won’t, if I can minimize the loss and keep them around, then that’s my goal.”

No matter what, he plans to keep the coffeehouse open, he said.

“We’re open,” he said in one of the videos, urging people to support their local businesses. “We’re going to get through this everybody.”

Helping everyone "Keep their distance"#SocialDistancing @TownofViennaVA @VisitFairfax @TysonsReporter @sungazettenews @washingtonian @WTOP @nbcwashington @ABC7News @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/z0Uh2sVNCM

— Caffe Amouri (@caffeamouri) March 17, 2020

Image via Caffe Amouri/Twitter

More and more states are ordering eateries and entertainment venues to close or switch to delivery and take-out only to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

When the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to declare a local emergency earlier this morning, several supervisors mentioned how the county has limited authority to plan restrictions on eating establishments.

“We don’t have as much authority as people think we do,” Vice-Chair Penny Gross said. “We’re also at the mercy of the governor.”

A few days ago, D.C.’s mayor imposed new restrictions on restaurants and bars, prohibiting table seating and allowing them to offer delivery or take-out options. The restrictions also force nightclubs, theaters and health clubs to close for at least two weeks.

Municipalities have limited authority to take action because Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, Arlington Magazine reported, adding that Gov. Ralph Northam could issue a statewide declaration similar to Maryland’s.

Northam said this morning that the state will follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation to prevent gatherings of 10 or more people, but that he does not plan to place restrictions on restaurants, WHSV reported.

“Northam is “asking them to abide by the ‘rule of 10’ and… encouraging them to focus on delivery and takeout options, instead of in-house dining,” according to WHSV.

Northam says he doesn't anticipate shutting restaurants down in the future, saying 45% of Virginians get meals from restaurants.

"I think we've got to be very careful, very prudent. We want to keep Virginia healthy. But we also know that they need to eat."

— Graham Moomaw (@gmoomaw) March 17, 2020

“At least 20 states have ordered that their restaurants and bars close to in-person diners amid the coronavirus pandemic,” The Hill reported earlier today.

The limited authority didn’t stop neighboring Arlington County to plead with restaurants and bars to “take responsible action and switch from dine-in service to only offering carryout and delivery.”

While the statement noted that Arlington County does not have the legal authority to force the changes, it said that COVID-19 cases could overwhelm Arlington if restaurants don’t limit community contact.

As of Monday, the Virginia Department of Health says there are 10 presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Fairfax County — a number that officials say is expected to grow.

Sitting several feet apart, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted today (Tuesday) to declare a local state of emergency due to the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The declaration activates the county’s emergency plan and allows the county to expeditiously mobilize its resources. A number of local jurisdictions have adopted similar declarations, including Arlington County.

At the emergency meeting, board members sat roughly six feet apart in order to practice safe social distancing, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Chairman Jeff McKay noted that the spread of coronavirus poses a “public health threat,” but that the county is well-positioned to manage concerns.

“This is not something this is going to be resolved tomorrow,” McKay said, giving a nod to county staff that is working their “tails off” in this “unprecedented” public health crisis.

The declaration allows the county to pursue “coordinated local government to prevent or alleviate damage, loss hardship, or suffering” caused by the respiratory disease, according to the declaration.

Like similar declarations for snow emergency response, the motion also allows the county to apply for federal and state disaster planning funds and increased flexibility in operations.

The county executive will now have the authority to act on behalf of the board, but won’t be able to do anything inconsistent with state orders, McKay said.

“We don’t have as much authority as people think we do,” Vice Chair Penny Gross said, noting that D.C.’s mayor imposed new restrictions on businesses in the city.

“We’re also at the mercy of the governor,” Gross said.

Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency last Thursday. So far, the Fairfax Health District has 10 presumptive cases of coronavirus.

“We will make it through this,” McKay said. “We will have battle scars without a doubt.”

This story also appeared on our sister site Reston Now

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:

New Grab-and-Go Food Sites for Students — “We are expanding the grab and go food distribution sites to a total of 29 locations. The food distribution is set up outside the schools. Breakfast will be served from 8-10:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]

Cafe Closes in Tysons — “Cafe Deluxe restaurants in Tysons, Virginia, and Bethesda, Maryland, have closed, early victims of the COVID-19 outbreak. Both leases were set to expire in April, with no plans to renew.” [WTOP]

Coronavirus Prompts Metro to Shifts Hours — “Starting March 16, trains on all lines will operate every 12 minutes on weekdays. That’s comparable to train frequencies on Saturdays, which will stay at that frequency. Sunday schedules will also remain unchanged, with trains every 15 minutes.” [WAMU]

Falls Church Eateries Alter Service — “Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken and Taco Bamba, both in Pimmit Hills, and Liberty Barbecue in the City all announced Monday they will shift to delivery and takeout service only. Spacebar, Northside Social and Dominion Wine and Beer have gone takeout only and Starbucks, with three City locations, said Sunday it was instituting a to-go model for all of its stores nationwide.” [Falls Church News-Press]

Falls Church Shelter Shuts Down for Two Weeks — “The Falls Church Homeless Shelter announced its decision to close the hypothermia shelter on March 16 in response to the growing spread of the coronavirus.” [Falls Church News-Press]

Editor’s note: This list will be regularly updated with the newest information on closures.

In efforts to lower the risk of spreading the coronavirus, Fairfax County, the City of Falls Church and the Town of Vienna are canceling meetings and closing places.

All three local governments have updates on their websites with coronavirus information — Fairfax County rolled out its new coronavirus webpage today (March 16).

As of Sunday, March 15, the Virginia Department of Health says there are 10 presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Fairfax County — a number that officials say is expected to grow.

Fairfax County

All Fairfax County public schools are currently closed.

“If FCPS schools cannot reopen as scheduled on April 14, our plan is to begin distance learning either online, or by learning packets at that time,” according to a message from Superintendent Scott Brabrand. “Over the next two weeks, we will begin distance learning training for teachers and give teachers the opportunity to plan and prepare for distance instruction and reconnect with their students.”

Food distribution to students will continue throughout the closures.

Other closures and changes around the county include:

• indoor parks, community facilities and libraries: closed for two weeks starting Monday, March 16;
• senior and adult day health care centers: closed until further notice;
• most Fairfax County courts’ hearings and trials: canceled
• all Fairfax County Park Authority playgrounds, skate parks and restrooms: closed

Town of Vienna

• Town Hall and other offices/facilities will be open by appointment only through April 12
• Vienna General District Court: closed Monday, March 16
• The Freeman Store and Museum: closed through April 14
• the Bowman House: closed
• all Town of Vienna special events canceled from Monday, March 16, through April 12

https://twitter.com/TownofViennaVA/status/1241052641225998338?s=20

#coronavirus updates 2/2: Register for parks and rec activities online. Email or call staff for help.

Rather than coming to Town Hall during this crisis, the Town strongly encourages residents and others to conduct business with the Town online whenever possible.

— Town of Vienna, VA (@TownofViennaVA) March 17, 2020

“Town of Vienna board and commission meetings have been canceled until April 13,” according to the town’s website. “The April 14 On Deck with Mercury event also has been canceled and Mayor’s Volunteer Reception moved to June 9.”

The town added that picnic shelter reservations will not be accepted right now.

City of Falls Church

• community center: closed from Monday, March 16, through April 12
• Mary Riley Styles Public Library: closed from Monday, March 16, through April 12

“The Community Center (223 Little Falls Street) and library host a large number of visitors every day, and closing the buildings could help reduce opportunities for public gatherings,” the city said in a press release.

People can drop off books at the library’s temporary location near the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School at 601 S. Oak Street.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Falls Church is suspending the weekly Farmers Market for this Saturday, March 21,” the city announced. “The city is awaiting further guidance from the Commonwealth regarding mass gatherings and food sources.”

Other Closures 

All Virginia DMV customer service centers are closed from March 18-April 2 and driver and vehicle credentials have been extended 60 days.

McLean Community Center, which is home to the Alden Theatre, galleries for the McLean Project for the Arts, the Susan B. DuVal Art Studio and meeting rooms, is closed through April 12. The Old Firehouse Center is also closed.

“All classes, activities and performances are canceled, as are all scheduled facility rentals, community organization uses and the MCC Governing Board meeting and public hearing, which were scheduled for Wednesday, March 25,” according to MCC’s website.

Wolf Trap is postponing all of its performances, classes and events between March 13-31.

“We are working with the artists to reschedule their performances for future dates and will share that information as it becomes available,” according to Wolf Trap’s website. “All current tickets will be honored for the rescheduled performances.”

Photo by Tim Mossholder/Unsplash