Governments in the Roanoke Valley declared local emergencies Monday afternoon.
The declarations include Botetourt and Roanoke counties, Salem and Roanoke cities and the Town of Vinton.
The move is largely administrative and allows the local governments to request state and federal resources if necessary.
Richmond city offices and facilitieswill be closed to the public for the rest of the week. Officials say essential services will continue and essential personnel should report to work.
Virginia’s courts are scaling back because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Under an order from the state supreme court, most traffic, criminal and civil cases are being postponed to April 6th.
The order makes exceptions for emergency cases like bail reviews, protective orders and emergency child custody cases. It also limits courtroom attendance for cases that do move forward.
The State Corporation Commission is halting all utility cutoffs for 60 days.
The commission’s order applies to electric, natural gas and water service for both residential and business customers. The commission said it could take further action because of the changing situation with COVID-19.
Visitors will no longer be allowed at Centra and VCU Health hospitals – an effort to help prevent further spread of COVID-19.
Centra says the change impacts all four of its hospitals – Lynchburg Regional, Virginia Baptist, Southside Community and Bedford Memorial. There are some limited exceptions – including one parent or legal guardian at a time for pediatric patients.
Centra has also canceled non-essential surgeries and procedures. Those are surgeries typically scheduled in physician offices.
Virginia Commonwealth University’s health system is following suit. The health system says all routine visitation will be suspended until the transmission of the virus is no longer a threat to patients, visitors and staff members.
VCU Dental Clinics are also closed until further notice for all treatment except emergency care.
