Coronavirus (COVID - 19) Communications Hub

In light of the challenges posed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, United Community reiterates our commitment to help our neighbors in need -- especially now, when they may need it most. We are determined to serve our community -- however we can, for as long as we can!

We are teaming up with Fairfax County to provide our clients and community members with every resource they need to overcome the challenges of this outbreak. Please see the list below for a comprehensive list of resources available in our community. We will continue to update this list as more information becomes available.
Interested in Regular COVID-19 Updates?
Text "FFXCOVID" to 888777 

COMMUNITY FOOD AND BASIC NEED UPDATES

Free Meal Distribution for K-12 Students
  • Fairfax County Public Schools is distributing grab-and-go meals for K-12 Students at 38 locations throughout the County, including Mt. Vernon Woods ES, Hollin Meadows ES, Audubon Apartments, Gum Springs Community Center, Hybla Valley ES and in front of the Sacramento Neighborhood Community Center. Meals are free for K-12 Students and just $2 for adults. Breakfast and Lunch (both meals can be picked up at the same time) are available to be picked up from 9:00am to 1:00pm, Monday through Friday. Click here for a full list of times and locations​​
  • In addition,  School Buses are delivering grab & go meals Monday through Friday to students who live in the Fort Hunt ES, Riverside ES, Washington Mill ES, Woodlawn ES, Woodley Hills ES, Whitman MS, Sandburg MS, Mt. Vernon HS and West Potomac HS areas. Meals are free for K-12 Students and just $2 for adults. Click here to see the bus stop locations and times.
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Emergency Food Supplies for At-Risk Families
  • United Community's Food Pantry at 7511 Fordson Rd is partnering with Fairfax County and the Capital Area Food Bank to provide emergency food supplies for families in need who live in zip codes 22306, 22307, 22308, 22309, and East of Telegraph 22314 and 22310. We ask that all clients seeking food assistance bring a valid photo ID with them.
  • Our Food Pantry's Hours are:
    • Monday 9-12
    • Tuesday 1-5:30pm
    • Wednesday 8-12
    • Thursday 1-5:30pm
    • Friday 9-12
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Food Resources Map
  • In the interest of public health and safety, we strongly encourage those in need to seek out resources closest to them. Fairfax County has created this Food Resources Map with a complete list of meal distribution sites and food pantries near you.
  • You can also text "FOOD" or "COMIDA" to 877-877 to learn more about food resources closest to you

Free Virtual Financial Counseling
  • For those experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19, Britepaths' Financial Empowerment Center is offering free financial virtual financial counseling services via video and phone conferencing. Click here for more information!​
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Utilities -- Disconnections Suspended
Fairfax County has reached out to area utility companies to assure that they are working to protect those at risk of utility disconnection. We have received confirmations from:
  • Verizon, Comcast, and Cox, have pledged to keep customers connected for the next 60 days and not terminate services to any residential customer or small business that are unable to pay their bills. Read more.
  • Dominion Energy suspended disconnections. Read more.
  • Washington Gas will be waiving late fees and suspending disconnections. Read more.
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All Court Proceedings and Eviction Cases are Postponed
  • The Supreme Court of Virginia declared a judicial emergency, suspending all Circuit and District court proceedings -- including eviction cases -- through April 6th. Click here for more information.

Fairfax County Government Buildings Closed to Public
  • Beginning Friday, March 27th at 5pm, all Fairfax County Government Buildings and Facilities will be closed to the public until further notice.
  • The County Government remains open for business online and by phone and mail.​

COMMUNITY EDUCATION & RECREATION UPDATES

Fairfax County Public School Buildings Closed Through End of the School Year; Online Learning Starts April 14th
  • All FCPS schools are closed through the end of the academic year in June. All FCPS school buildings and administrative offices are closed until further notice.
  • Online "Distance Learning" for middle-school and high-school students will begin on April 14th. Distribution of Mi-Fi Hotspots and laptops for students without computer or internet access have begun this week. If you need a laptop or Mi-Fi, please contact your local school for more information.
  • Learning packets will be distributed by mail to Elementary School Students the week of March 30th. Click here for more information on Distance-Learning.
  • SACC will not offer any spring break services, as previously planned.

Adjustments to Student Exam Schedules
  • The May 2020 International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams are cancelled.
  • Traditional face-to-face Advanced Placement (AP) exams will not take place. Instead, AP exams will be The full exam schedule will be published by the College Board on April 3rd
  • SOL tests are expected to be canceled this year.
  • ACT Exams have been re-scheduled from April 4th to June 13th
  • SAT Exams have been re-scheduled. Click here for more information
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Fairfax County Parks, Libraries, and Community Facilities Closed
  • Fairfax County parks (indoor), libraries, and community facilities are closed for two weeks.
  • This includes: recreation, nature, community, resource and teen centers, Park Authority playgrounds, skate parks, public park restrooms, golf courses, historic sites, athletic fields, and picnic shelters.​
  • Health officials recommend refraining from playing on all playground equipment at this time, including community/neighborhood playgrounds. All trails remain open.
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Restrictions on Restaurants, Fitness Centers and Theaters
  • Virginia Governor Northam has mandated that all recreation and entertainment services such as fitness centers, theaters, barbershops, spas, massage parlors must close. Non-essential retail establishments can remain open if they limit their capacity to 10 patrons or fewer and increased sanitizing procedures.
  • Restaurants are restricted to carry-out and takeaway options only.

Mass Gatherings and Community Events Cancelled
  • Governor Ralph Northam has banned non-essential gatherings of more than 10 people.
  • Persons considering attending any event, regardless of the number of people attending should consider the risks and benefits in deciding to attend. In particular, those who are at high-risk of severe disease if they become infected – persons who are older than 60 years old, have chronic illness, have a compromised immune system, are pregnant - should know the status of COVID-19 in the community and not attend the event if local infection is widespread

Tax Filing Day Delayed to July 15th
  • The Secretary of Treasury Announced that the Federal Income Tax Filing Due Date would be moved from April 15th to July 15th.
  • For Virginia, State Income Tax Filing Deadlines remain the same (May 1, 2020). Any State Income Tax Payments are due June 1, 2020.​
  • For Fairfax County, the deadline for individuals and businesses to file vehicle changes and property tax returns has been extended to from May 1st to June 1st, 2020.
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Additional Sources of Information

COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION UPDATES

Metro
  • Metro is reducing service:
  • METRORAIL service:
  • Monday-Friday: Trains will operate every 12 minutes on each line throughout the day. The rail system will maintain normal hours, opening at 5 am.
  • Saturday: Trains will operate every 12 minutes on each line, with service from 7 am until 1 am (normal Saturday service).
  • Sunday: Trains will operate every 15 minutes on each line, with service from 8 am until 11:00 pm. (normal Sunday service).
  • Starting Thursday, March 26th, Metro will temporarily close 17 stations, including Van Dorn St and Eisenhower Ave. Click here for a complete list of closures.
  • METROBUS service:
  • On weekdays, bus service will operate on a Saturday supplemental schedule.
  • Weekend bus schedules are unchanged.
  • WMATA also asks that customers do not use Metro to go to healthcare appointments if you are showing signs of illness. Please do not use Metro unless it is absolutely essential!​

Fairfax Connector Bus
  • Beginning Tuesday, March 24, all Fairfax Connector customers are required to enter and exit the bus using the rear doors. This does not apply to customers who need to use a wheelchair ramp.
  • Fare collection on buses is temporarily suspended due to the locaton of fareboxes and SmartTrip equipment at the front entrance of the buses.
  • Increased vehicle cleaning cycles are occuring with a special focus on bus interiors and critical touchpoints. These cleanings incorporate disinfection procedures indicated to be effective against COVID-19.​

​Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Offices are Closed
  • Virginia 75 DMV Offices are closed to the public.
  • Online services will remain available and anyone needing to renew a license or vehicle registration is encouraged to do so online.
  • DMV will grant a 60-day extension for those who cannot renew online or whose license or registration expires before May 15.​

COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES

Unemployment Resources Through Virginia Career Works Centers
  • The Virginia Career Works Fairfax Centers are closed, but continue to provide services remotely during regular business hours (Mon - Thurs, 8:30am - 4pm and Fri 10am - 4:30pm). Click Here for more information. You can also contact the centers below
    • Alexandria: 703-704-6286, DFSVCWAlexandria@fairfaxcounty.gov
    • Fairfax: 703-324-7280, DFSVJC@fairfaxcounty.gov
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Employment Opportunities During the COVID-19 Crisis

COMMUNITY HEALTH RESOURCES

Respiratory Illness Clinics and COVID-19 Testing
  • Starting Wednesday, March 25, Inova Urgent Care locations at Dulles South, North Arlington, and Tysons will staff Respiratory Illness Clinics to evaluate all patients with respiratory illness symptoms. The three clinics will also be able to collect COVID-19 vehicle-side samples that have been requested by their physician.
  • Upon arrival at the clinic, a clinician will greet the patient at their vehicle to escort the patient into the respiratory clinic for evaluation or to collect samples for testing. Patients who are tested can expect results within 4-7 days.
  • Before visiting any Inova Respiratory Illness Clinic, contact your regular primary care physician for evaluation to determine if testing is necessary. For assistance with recommendations, to arrange for a physician appointment, or if you do not have a primary care physician, call 1-855-IMG-DOCS.
  • Clinic will be open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm and are located at:
    • ​Inova Urgent Care -- Dulles South, 24801 Pinebrook Rd, #110, Chantilly, VA 20152 -- 703-722-3080
    • Inova Urgent Care -- North Arlington, 4600 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207 -- 571-492-3080
    • Inova Urgent Care -- Tysons, 8357 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182 - 571-665-6440

Healthcare Options for the Uninsured
  • Fairfax County has posted a list of health care providers that offer primary care, dental care, behavioral health and pharmacies. These clinics and centers serve people who have no insurance or have Medicaid.
  • If you have COVID-19 symptoms, please call ahead to these clinics before you go, so they can put proper infection control measures in place. Be sure to see the website as providers have various protocol in place for COVID-19, including telemedicine. 
Do you have additional COVID-19 related Questions or Concerns?
We want to hear from you! Email covid19@unitedcommunity.org!

HEALTH GUIDELINES

COVID-19 TESTING
  • Fairfax County is currently advising anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or who are concerned they have been exposed to call their doctor or health care provider. See the Fairfax County Health Department for more details.

Take steps to protect yourself

Clean your hands often
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact Take steps to protect others

Stay home if you’re sick  
Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
  • Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
 
Wear a facemask if you are sick
  • If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
  • If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
 
Clean and disinfect
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

To disinfect:
Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface.

Options include:
  • Diluting your household bleach.
    To make a bleach solution, mix:
    • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
      OR
    • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
  • Alcohol solutions
       Ensure solution has at least 70% alcohol.
  • Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants.
    Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens     claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).

Complete Disinfection Guide: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/cleaning-disinfection.html 

More Handwashing Tips:
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/ 

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