In regards to the park department, officials said in a virtual town hall on Friday last week, that different park facilities will be reopening at different stages of recovery. Assistant County Manager Jim Schwartz said that while some trails remain open to socially distant outdoor uses, facilities such as basketball and tennis courts will remain closed until at least May 29, the earliest that Northern Virginia is expected to join the rest of the Commonwealth in a phased reopening plan.
Schwartz also said that some facilities within the park department such as recreational centers may experience further delays in reopening. However, he added that the county was yet to decide on whether or not to cancel summer camps.
“We will be making a decision next week for upcoming summer camps,” Schwartz said. “Just about all of our regional partners have announced they are closing or not doing summer camps. We will make that decision next week.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Reuben Varghese, the county's Director of Public Health, said that Arlington is bracing for a bump in coronavirus cases once the restrictions are lifted despite the warnings and advice offered by county health officials.
“We will be expecting a bump,” Varghese said. “I will be very happy to be wrong… but people will be having physical interactions within six feet.”
Officials asked the public not to rush into public interactions once the restrictions start easing off.
“Even though we’re all eager to get back to the things we love,” said County Board member Matt de Ferranti, “if we aren’t careful and play it safe we can put people at risk.”
While large portions of the state partially reopened on Friday, Northern Virginia remained closed.
According to a news report by ARLnow, Arlington County has delayed reopening with the rest of the state as officials tell residents to expect things to move slowly and a bit unevenly.
In regards to the park department, officials said in a virtual town hall on Friday last week, that different park facilities will be reopening at different stages of recovery. Assistant County Manager Jim Schwartz said that while some trails remain open to socially distant outdoor uses, facilities such as basketball and tennis courts will remain closed until at least May 29, the earliest that Northern Virginia is expected to join the rest of the Commonwealth in a phased reopening plan.
Schwartz also said that some facilities within the park department such as recreational centers may experience further delays in reopening. However, he added that the county was yet to decide on whether or not to cancel summer camps.
“We will be making a decision next week for upcoming summer camps,” Schwartz said. “Just about all of our regional partners have announced they are closing or not doing summer camps. We will make that decision next week.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Reuben Varghese, the county's Director of Public Health, said that Arlington is bracing for a bump in coronavirus cases once the restrictions are lifted despite the warnings and advice offered by county health officials.
“We will be expecting a bump,” Varghese said. “I will be very happy to be wrong… but people will be having physical interactions within six feet.”
Officials asked the public not to rush into public interactions once the restrictions start easing off.
“Even though we’re all eager to get back to the things we love,” said County Board member Matt de Ferranti, “if we aren’t careful and play it safe we can put people at risk.”
In regards to the park department, officials said in a virtual town hall on Friday last week, that different park facilities will be reopening at different stages of recovery. Assistant County Manager Jim Schwartz said that while some trails remain open to socially distant outdoor uses, facilities such as basketball and tennis courts will remain closed until at least May 29, the earliest that Northern Virginia is expected to join the rest of the Commonwealth in a phased reopening plan.
Schwartz also said that some facilities within the park department such as recreational centers may experience further delays in reopening. However, he added that the county was yet to decide on whether or not to cancel summer camps.
“We will be making a decision next week for upcoming summer camps,” Schwartz said. “Just about all of our regional partners have announced they are closing or not doing summer camps. We will make that decision next week.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Reuben Varghese, the county's Director of Public Health, said that Arlington is bracing for a bump in coronavirus cases once the restrictions are lifted despite the warnings and advice offered by county health officials.
“We will be expecting a bump,” Varghese said. “I will be very happy to be wrong… but people will be having physical interactions within six feet.”
Officials asked the public not to rush into public interactions once the restrictions start easing off.
“Even though we’re all eager to get back to the things we love,” said County Board member Matt de Ferranti, “if we aren’t careful and play it safe we can put people at risk.”
