“Zero Looks Good Alexandria!” Says Mayor Justin Wilson About New Covid Cases
ALEXANDRIA, VA – In his morning COVID update on his social media, Mayor Justin Wilson today cited the Virginia Health Department’s statistics regarding Alexandria’s virus status, exclaiming, “Zero Looks Good Alexandria!”
The stats included the fact that for the first time since December 26, 2020, and for only the fifth time since the pandemic outbreak in March 2020, Alexandria, Virginia reported no new cases of Covid for a 24-hour period on May 18, 2021.
“The 7-day moving average of positive cases has been on a downward trend since the beginning of April 2021, and is currently at its lowest,” reported the Virginia Department of Health.
About Mask Requirements
Alexandrians who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks in most indoor public settings. This reflects the most current requirements of the amended Executive Order 72 released May 15, following increasing vaccination rates, dramatically declining COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, statewide test positivity rate, and revised federal guidelines.
“With 40% of Alexandrians ages 16 and up fully vaccinated and approaching our lowest 7-day moving average of COVID-19 cases, we are thrilled to be able to take a step toward returning to normalcy,” said Mayor Justin Wilson. “Wearing a mask has been one of the simplest and most effective ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 and has helped us reach this transition point. If you are not yet fully vaccinated, please continue to wear a mask in public settings to protect your loved ones and neighbors and to help us all return to normal.”
There are some instances when fully vaccinated people should continue to wear masks indoors, including where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. Individual businesses may decide to continue to require masks in their establishments. Masks are required on public transit, in health care facilities (including vaccine sites), and in congregate settings. All K-12 students, teachers, staff and visitors must wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on school property, regardless of vaccination status. Existing mask requirements for City programs and facilities are not changing at this time while the City conducts a review of how this amendment should apply to City workplaces and services.
“The City will quickly conduct this review and will make amendments to our mask requirements as soon as it is feasible,” said City Manager Mark Jinks.
People who have not been fully vaccinated are required to wear a face mask in shared indoor and outdoor public settings, and are advised to continue to take precautions: avoid gatherings with anyone outside your household, practice hand sanitation, maintain proper physical distance from others, and stay home when possible. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second dose of the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The City of Alexandria and the Alexandria Health Department recommend that everyone ages 12 and over receive a COVID-19 vaccine to help end the pandemic and to protect Alexandria families, schools and the community from COVID-19. When enough people get vaccinated, we can get back to normal.
Visit alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus for detailed information about mask requirements and to find a vaccine today.
MORE: SEE Mayor Justin Wilson in EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Wednesday, May 19, 2021
