Fauquier Times 03/25/2020

Page 1

TEE TIMES ON THE UPSWING South Wales Golf Course is seeing a surge in play. Page 11

March 25, 2020

Our 203rd year | Vol. 203, No. 13 | www.Fauquier.com | $1.50

Schools closed for rest of year

Non-essential businesses shut By Jill Palermo

Times Staff Writer

Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Monday that all Virginia public schools would remain closed for the rest of the year and that certain "non-essential businesses" have been ordered to shutter as well. All gatherings of more than 10 people are banned statewide, except for medical services and other services deemed essential. Northam made the announcement during his 2 p.m. press conference in Richmond, which was held two hours after the Virginia Department of Health released the state's latest COVID-19 statistics. As of noon Tuesday, Virginia reported 290 cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths due to the coronavirus, which Northam said is continuing to spread in Virginia. Northam said that only "essential businesses" -- a designation that includes grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants (for carry-out or delivery orders only), construction supply stores and even ABC stores -- could remain open but would be required to maintain social distancing and adhere to stricter cleaning rules. Certain businesses considered "recreational" would be ordered closed, including bowling al-

TIMES STAFF PHOTO/COY FERRELL

April Plummer, school nutrition director, hands out sacks of food for students Monday morning. See more on the school division’s Grab and Go program on page 4. leys, theaters and racetracks. Personal care outlets such as barber shops, spas and massage parlors would also be ordered closed. Non-essential stores and businesses that remain open must adhere to a 10-patron or fewer rule to remain open. The order

would be in place for 30 days, Northam said. Schools were scheduled to receive guidance Tuesday from the state department of education See CLOSED, page 2

Fauquier Hospital postpones elective surgeries and nonurgent outpatient services Staff Reports

TIMES STAFF PHOTO/COY FERRELL

Customers stand in line as they wait for the Warrenton Walmart to open early Monday morning. The store opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m. due to the coronavirus pandemic; the limited hours are to allow employees time to stock shelves and sanitize the store.

INSIDE Classified............................................20 Horse Sports.......................................14 Opinion.................................................8 Obituaries...........................................17 Real Estate..........................................15 Sports.................................................11

Fauquier Health spokeswoman Sarah Cubbage reported Monday morning that the health system is rescheduling elective and non-urgent surgical cases and all non-urgent outpatient services, “when deemed clinically appropriate, for the next four weeks,” or through April 23. The effort is an attempt in part to preserve the hospital’s supply of personal protective equipment, she explained. Cubbage said the hospital expects to receive a shipment of PPE from the Virginia Hospital and

Healthcare Association this week. She said in a press release, “We have been working closely with the Virginia Health Department and VHHA and following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An important element to our preparedness is minimizing the risk of exposure in any way we can, as we navigate this rapidly evolving situation and prepare for what the next few weeks may hold.” She added that the health system “continues to adapt to meet the clinSee HOSPITAL, page 6


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.