Every day, sometimes every hour, new information emerges about the coronavirus. It is a challenge for our communities to know what further developments to anticipate and how to formulate an effective plan. VML will continue to update this page with resources for local officials to consider using as part of a plan of response.
Use the links below to jump to each topic
Coronavirus Relief Fund | Online Resources | Education & Schools | Announcements
Economy | Electronic Meetings
A message from VML President Thomas R. Smigiel: “I want to take a minute and acknowledge that in these alarming times I take comfort in all the encouraging signs I see from Virginia’s local governments and leaders. If we felt that we were resilient, strong and adaptable before this crisis hit, now we know it! We are greater than the sum of our parts…” Click here to read the full text >
A message from VML Executive Director Michelle Gowdy: “It takes a locality. This platitude has taken on a new, deeper meaning as we look to our local officials to bear the responsibility of pulling our nation through a health crisis none save our grandparents or great-grandparents have ever known. We now find ourselves in a situation where it takes a locality (lots of localities) to save lots of lives…” Click here to read the full text >
FAQs, facts and updates related to the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (“CARES Act”).
Primary Resources:
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- Aubrey L. Layne, Jr., Secretary of Finance: Letter regarding Extension for Expenditure of Coronavirus Relief Funds (Dec. 23, 2020)
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- Aubrey L. Layne, Jr., Secretary of Finance: Letter regarding new Deadline for Use of Local Allocations for Federal CARES Coronavirus Relief Funds (December 8, 2020)
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- VML Working Group: FAQs: Analysis of CARES Act Funding Questions Raised by Local Governments about Eligible Spending Purposes (Version 12). A regularly-updated, clickable resource addressing questions frequently asked of VML regarding the use and tracking of CARES Act funds by localities. Answers represent the reasonable judgement of a special VML Task Force and VML policy staff. (Updated October 26, 2020)
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- Virginia Department of Accounts: Spreadsheet to aid localities in the reporting of obligations and expenditures made with CARES Act dollars. (Added October 22, 2020)
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- Spreadsheet: Locality Coronavirus Relief Fund Reporting Information as of June 30, 2020. (Added September 4, 2020)
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- U.S. Department of the Treasury: Coronavirus Relief Fund Reporting Requirements Update (July 31, 2020)
Official websites, learning opportunities, surveys and other resources for localities.
Recently Added:
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- FEMA:Local Government Solutions Guides for COVID-19 and beyond! (May 25, 2021)
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- Virginia Department of Health (VDH): Ventilation Best Practices (April 21, 2021)
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- Virginia Department of Health (VDH): Community Ambassadors Program (April, 2021)
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- VML and Virginia Department of Health: Guidance for Localities – Response to COVID-19 Pandemic and Executive Order Requirements (December, 2020)
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- Virginia Department of Health (VDH): Descriptions of VDH External Dashboards (November 19, 2020)
Information and updates about plans to reopen schools.
Recently Added:
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- Virginia Department of Education: School Reopening FAQs (updated regularly)
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- Virginia Department of Education: Virginia’s Return to School Plan (updated regularly)
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- Johns Hopkins University: Analysis of School Reopening Plans (updated regularly)
Local, State and Federal executive orders, directives, guidelines, letters, and press releases.
Recently Added:
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- Office of the Governor: Sixth Amended Number Seventy-Two (2021) and Order of Public Health Emergency Nine – Further Easing of Commonsense Surge Restrictions Due to Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) (April 29)
- Guidelines for all Business Sectors (April 29, 2020)
- Office of the Governor: Sixth Amended Number Seventy-Two (2021) and Order of Public Health Emergency Nine – Further Easing of Commonsense Surge Restrictions Due to Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) (April 29)
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- Office of the Governor: Sixth Amended Executive Order Seventy-Two and Order of Public Health Emergency Nine – effective May 15, 2021 (April 22, 2021)
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- Office of the Governor: Fifth Amended Executive Order Seventy-Two and Order of Public Health Emergency Nine (April 21, 2021).
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- Office of the Governor: Executive Order Number Seventy-Two (2020) and Order of Public Health Emergency Nine – Common Sense Surge Restrictions – Certain Temporary Restrictions Due to Novel Coronavirus (December 10, 2020)
Information, tools and studies related to the economic impact of COVID-19.
Recently added:
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- Virginia Housing Commission: The Housing Commission met on July 8, 2020 and talked about evictions and the impact on both landlords and tenants. The materials can be found here:
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- “Big 7” Sign-On Letter: Over 130 state and regional organizations, including VML, signed on to this letter to Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer to request direct aid to localities to address revenue shortfalls. Read the letter here >. (June 29, 2020)
- From the letter: “Unlike the federal government, these state and local governments must begin their fiscal years on time and with a balanced budget. If the Senate fails to act immediately to support state and local governments, our nation’s recovery from the pandemic-induced recession will suffer and millions of Americans will needlessly be harmed.”
- “Big 7” Sign-On Letter: Over 130 state and regional organizations, including VML, signed on to this letter to Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer to request direct aid to localities to address revenue shortfalls. Read the letter here >. (June 29, 2020)
With restrictions on gatherings, local governments can use these resources as guides on how to conduct their business remotely.
Note: Visit our Meeting Resources page for a list of platforms and services localities may want to consider for video streaming, video meetings, online voting, etc.
Primary Resources:
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- Local Government Attorneys of Virginia (LGA): COVID-19 Committee letter (May 1, 2020) regarding the 2020 Budget Amendment, Operating Policies, and Remote Meetings: Further support for electronic meetings during COVID-19 emergency. Localities should consult their attorneys for further guidance.
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- Local Government Attorneys of Virginia: Committee Report on Electronic Meetings (March 24, 2020).
Please be aware that while the report uses the recent opinion from Attorney General Herring as a road map, you should continue to consult with your legal advisor as you move forward with meetings. The report includes:
- Local Government Attorneys of Virginia: Committee Report on Electronic Meetings (March 24, 2020).
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- Checklist for holding completely electronic public meetings and ensuring public access
- Model ordinance and resolution that mirrors what some localities have already put into place.
- Appended example of a declaration of emergency (from Albemarle County) which may be helpful to those localities who have not yet declared one.
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- Sample document: Electronic Participation Policy (Can be used as a template for your own policy)
