Coronavirus (COVID-19) Facts and Updates – Alexandria is open for business

Alexandria, VA – Visit Alexandria and The Chamber ALX in partnership with the Alexandria Health Department presented a webinar: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Facts and Updates for Alexandria Businesses featuring Dr. Stephen Haering, Director of the Alexandria Health Department.  Alexandria is open for business. Know the facts and proactively adopt best practices to protect customers, employees and the community

As this is an evolving situation, Here is some helpful information and resources.

• Register with enews.alexandriava.gov for important updates from the City.
• How to protect yourself, employees, clients, customers and vendors:
  • Determine operating priorities – What has to continue and what can be postponed?
  • How will you communicate with your staff, clients and customers?
  • How will you handle sick leave?
  • Develop childcare plans for employees in the event that schools are closed
  • How will you maintain payroll?
  • Wash your hand frequently with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Stay home when you’re sick and have employees do the same.
  • If you need medical care, call your doctor. Don’t just show up. Tell them your symptoms so they can make their recommendations.
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and then wash your hands.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces every 2 hours unless a visibly sick person has been in contact, then clean immediately.
• AlexandriaVA.gov/coronavirus has a link to FDA-approved cleaning supplies
  • Avoid shaking hands – use the elbow bump instead.
  • Make a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP Plan) before there is a crisis.

• City of Alexandria Information: 311
• Virginia Department of Health: 1-877-ASK-VDH3 (275-8343)
• Commonwealth of Virginia Information: 211
• Centers for Disease Control: (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636)

• • CDC’s COVID-19 website 
  • City of Alexandria’s response to COVID-19 
  • Alexandria Health Department website 
  • Virginia Department of Health’s website 
  • CDC’s printable fact sheets you can post at your business
  • PCMA’s information for meetings and groups 
  • U.S. Travel Association’s comprehensive information for the travel industry

Listen to the virtual information session presented by the City of Alexandria for the general public this Thursday, March 12 from 8 to 9 p.m The session will be accessible at alexandriava.gov/Health.