COVID-19

Mayor's Emergency Response Roundtable: Episode 7

Chesapeake Mayor Rick West sat down with Director of the Chesapeake Health Department Dr. Nancy Welch to get some answers to commonly asked questions in the latest episode of the Mayor's Emergency Response Roundtable. You can also find additional FAQs in the Chesapeake In The Know blog.

COVID-19 Related Staff Impacts

Bulk Trash Collection Suspended. Due to staffing impacts related to COVID-19, all bulk waste collections are temporarily suspended until further notice. This includes bagged yard waste. The only trash service being offered for the rest of the month is automated bin collection and recycling. If you have already placed bulk waste at the curb, we will do our best to get to it if staffing allows but please do not place any additional bulk waste at the curbside this month. If you have a critical need to dispose of bulk waste before the end of the month, there are options through SPSA which you can find at SPSA.com or by calling 757-420-4700.

Please note that if your neighborhood has city-provided trash collection but not city-provided trash cans, we are working to figure out staffing to get those collected but their collection will be delayed. Please put your can out as usual and just leave it until it's collected.

COVID-19 Situational Awareness Dashboard - 8/12

Select the image below to download the dashboard as a PDF.

Stay Safe - Get Help

Stress is at an all time high. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or neglect, please reach out.

• Child Protective Services: 800-552-7096
• Adult Protective Services: 800-832-3858
• Family Violence: 804-793-999 (Text) 800-838-8238 (Call)

COVID-19 Rental & Utility Assistance Program 

The City of Chesapeake has established a program to assist residents who lost or reduced employment due to COVID-19. The program provides limited assistance to eligible Chesapeake residents who are not able to meet their rent, mortgage, and/or utility financial obligations.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must have lease agreement in their name. Assistance is provided to a household. Multiple individuals within a household cannot be assisted.
• Applicant’s inability to pay must be due to the impact of COVID-19 that resulted in loss of job or significant reduction in work hours, or unemployment that occurred after March 1, 2020.
• Rental property must be applicant’s primary residence.
• Applicant must have applied for, or in the process, of applying for unemployment benefits and must be able to provide supporting documentation.

For more information or to apply call the Housing Crisis Hotline at 757-587-4202.

BUSINESSES

Chesapeake Economic Development is here to help you make sense of the latest COVID-19 orders. Visit their website for more.

MASKS & PHASE 3 UPDATES

Governor Ralph Northam's Executive Order 63 directs all patrons age ten and older to wear a mask or face covering at all times while entering, exiting, traveling through, and spending time in a variety of public settings. Executive Order 67 provides details for the Phase 3 easing of restrictions.  If you have a concern or a complaint about face coverings or capacity requirements please use this VDH Online Complaint Report.

CITY SERVICES

Online services remain the safest option for conducting City business. If you must do business in person at a City facility, please call ahead to ensure the service is available. You can call 382-2489 or the specific department. When visiting a City building, you must maintain social distance and you are encouraged to wear a mask. Please do not enter the building if you have a fever or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days. It is still safer at home, so please do all you can to avoid in-person services.

For the added safety and health of our at-risk populations, the hour from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. is reserved for those age 65 and older, and those with a serious health condition. We appreciate the public assistance in self-enforcing this restriction, for everyone's benefit.

• ANIMAL SERVICES: Adoptions have resumed. Call before coming to make sure services are available. If you are missing a pet, visit CityofChesapeake.net/AnimalServices to see if your pet is listed. If it is, call 757-382-8080 (option1) to make arrangements. Snout and About is currently suspended.
• BUSINESSES/EMPLOYER RESOURCES: Chesapeake Economic Development is tracking updates and resources specific to businesses. Find their information at ChesapeakeVA.Biz/COVID19.
• CHESAPEAKE FIRE PREVENTION DIVISION: The Chesapeake Fire Prevention Division has resumed Fire and Life Safety Inspections. With the safety of our citizens and businesses being top priority, they will practice social distancing and will wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
• CHESAPEAKE INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE: Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare is providing services via phone and video conferencing in addition to in-person options when appropriate. See available resources , get tips for mental health during this time, or call 757-547-9334 for help.
• CHESAPEAKE REDEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY: Contact information and the latest restrictions are available on the CRHA website.
  
• CHILD CARE GUIDANCE: The Department of Social Services offers this guidance to child care providers
• CITY OFFICES: City offices and facilities are open with restrictions. Online services continue to be the best option. If you must do business in person, call first to make sure the in-person service is available.
• COURTS: Chesapeake courthouses require all individuals entering a courthouse to wear a face mask, keep 6 feet away from others, and refrain from gathering and lingering. Before visiting a court building, please take a moment to read the courthouse health and safety measures order. 
  • Chesapeake Circuit Court
    
  • General District Court
  • Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court
    
  • Supreme Court of Virginia’s Order Extending Judicial Emergency
    
• DEVELOPMENT & PERMITS: Residents are strongly encouraged to use online resources for permits and other services. For details on how to conduct other business with the Department of Development and Permits, visit their webpage or call them at 757-382-6018.
• DMV Select will open July 20 by appointment only. No walk-ins will be accepted. Please arrive for your appointment no earlier than 5 minutes before your scheduled time. ONLY the person involved with the transaction should attend the appointment. You MUST wear a mask. Make your DMV Select Appointment now: calendly.com/dmvselect-chesapeake.
• DONATIONS: The best way to help is through monetary donations made to United Way and designate City of Chesapeake. They have a system in place to accept donations and get residents what they need. Donations would primarily go to schools for feeding children while schools are closed, as well as feeding the elderly. To donate visit http://igfn.us/form/stVB2A. If you're a business looking to donate unopened PPE (N95 masks, gloves, eye protection), please use this form.
  
• FOOD PANTRIES: Find the food pantry nearest to you using this interactive map or visiting the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. Chesapeake Public Schools continue to provide food for children 18 and under at various sites.
  
• HEALTH HOTLINE: Due to the overwhelming demand of COVID-19 phone calls at local Health Districts, a regional COVID-19 Hotline has been established: 757-683-2745. Hotline hours are from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. 
• LIBRARIES: Chesapeake Public Libraries are open with restrictions. Learn what's available at ChesapeakeLibrary.org or on their Facebook page.
• MOSQUITO CONTROL: Chesapeake Mosquito Control has started seasonal spraying and backyard inspection and treatment for Asian Tiger mosquitoes. To keep both citizens and employees safe, they are initiating a temporary no-contact policy when responding to requests for backyard services.  If your mosquito problem requires a property visit, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment. During that call, staff will explain the new procedure and cover certain information before making the home visit. Make sure you provide accurate contact information when submitting a request so that you can be reached. You can help prevent the spread of mosquitoes by inspecting your yards and tipping/tossing items that could hold water.
  
• PARKS, RECREATION AND TOURISM: Many amenities have reopened with restrictions. Learn the latest at Parks, Recreation and Tourism or on their Facebook page.
  
• PUBLIC UTILITIES: The Public Utilities Department has suspended water cutoffs until further notice. All other Public Utility services will be maintained. Remember that if it isn't toilet paper, it's not flushable!
  • Can you catch COVID-19 from wastewater and answers to other FAQs from the Hampton Roads Sanitation District.
• RESTAURANTS: The City of Chesapeake is following the Governor's orders regarding restaurants. Learn more at chesapeakeva.biz/bizresources/covid19/.
• SCHOOLS: For the latest information on Chesapeake Public Schools, including meal availability, instructional materials, and plans for next school year, follow them on Facebook or visit CPSchools.com
  
• TAXES: Chesapeake City Council voted on April 14 to move the due dates for Real Estate Tax, Personal Property Tax, and Stormwater Fees from June 5 to June 30.
  
• TRASH & RECYCLING COLLECTION:
  • There are no changes to curbside bin (trash & recycling) collection schedules.
  • Yard/Tree bulk waste is now being accepted again but there are restrictions to bulk waste collection of construction debris, and fence material.
  • Bagged yard waste is still accepted (max of 30 bags per week) and black bags are currently acceptable when clear bags are unavailable.
  • The SPSA Greenbrier Transfer Station has a variety of options for residential waste drop off as well and Household Hazardous Waste drop off remains unchanged.
   

Mayor's Emergency Response Roundtable

View all the Mayor's Emergency Response Roundtable episodes here.

Local State of Emergency

Chesapeake City Manager Chris Price declared a Local State of Emergency at 2:00 p.m. on March 13 for the City of Chesapeake. This declaration enables the City to begin to access resources which would be necessary should conditions change.

Guidance for Staying Healthy

For the most up-to-date guidance and restrictions from Governor Ralph Northam's office visit Governor.Virginia.Gov.

For official information on COVID-19 and protection tips, visit the Virginia Department of Health's information page.

Remember to wash your hands often and thoroughly, cover coughs and sneezes with your sleeve, wear a mask when out in public, and stay home whenever possible.

Our first concern is always the health and safety of our residents and visitors. We are working closely with the Virginia Department of Health as we make decisions about City activities and services. This is a quickly evolving situation so please check back here regularly or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.