Frederick County Declares State of Emergency

WINCHESTER, VA, March 19, 2020: The County of Frederick VA (the County) has declared a local state of emergency in response to the threat to public health and safety from the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The declaration allows county officials to make decisions quickly about emergency actions that might be needed to help protect county residents and to draw on additional resources to prepare for and coordinate the County’s response to the potential spread of the virus.

The declaration allows the County to pursue reimbursements that may be available from the federal and state governments as a result of their emergency declarations. Governor Northam declared a state of emergency for the Commonwealth of Virginia on March 12 and the President declared a national state of emergency on March 13, 2020.

County Administrator Kris Tierney said, “While, at this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Frederick County or the Lord Fairfax Health District, this declaration allows us to receive federal and state aid for qualifying expenses associated with the outbreak. The declaration also serves to activate our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the purpose of coordinating emergency management efforts and the dissemination of relevant information.

In light of this declaration, steps are being taken to restrict access to our Administration offices at 107 N. Kent Street while still providing all essential services. While all offices will remain open, we will be operating with reduced staffing. Citizens are urged to make use of online services, https://www.fcva.us/services/all-online-services. If you have business you need to conduct in person, please call ahead and make an appointment. Department phone listing: https://www.fcva.us/departments.

• All visitors must enter at the north end of the building from Kent Street; the entrance closest to the George Washington Auto Park. 
• Those needing to drop off documents should utilize the Treasurer’s Office drive through window or the drop box on the back of the building near the Cameron Street parking lot. For larger items such as building plans, please call ahead and make arrangements to drop the information off.
• Those needing to drop off confidential information for the Department of Social Services may also utilize the locked drop box in the main lobby.
• Please call to make an appointment if necessary. https://www.fcva.us/departments

While we are aware that these restrictions will cause inconveniences, we are taking necessary precautions to protect not only visitors to the building but the staff who provide vital services to our community. The cooperation of everyone is greatly appreciated.

Frederick County continues to monitor the situation and pass along updates and recommendations as we receive them from local, regional, and state health experts. Resources for citizens and the list of County cancellations may be found at www.fcva.us/coronavirus.

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