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
Electronic Meetings | Actions | Online Resources | Announcements
“Stay at Home” Orders | Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
Business Resources | Code of Virginia | Healthcare
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 we find ourselves in a situation where it takes a locality (lots of localities) to save lots of lives…” Click here to read full text >
VML statement on Executive Order 53: On March 23, Governor Ralph Northam issued Executive Order 53 which orders all K-12 schools in Virginia to remain closed through the end of the originally scheduled academic year. The Virginia Municipal League strongly supports the Governor’s firm stance on protecting children, families, and the public at large by limiting the spread of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Further, VML appreciates the framework provided in this directive for localities to begin making plans.
With restrictions on gatherings, local governments can use these resources as guides on how to conduct their business remotely.
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- Local Government Attorneys of Virginia: Committee Report on Electronic Meetings (March 24)
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- COVID-19: In-Person Meetings Impossible? Here’s How to Engage Residents Online article by Matt Fulton from Polco/NRC about using online surveys to engage citizens.
Examples of actions being taken by Virginia’s localities, the state and federal governments and organizations.
NOTE: Bloomberg Philanthropies and the National League of Cities have teamed up to launch the COVID-19: Local Action Tracker. They will collect and share policy actions and promising practices taken by cities, towns, and villages across the United States in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can also submit your locality’s actions to be included on the tracker.
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- County of James City: An Ordinance to Ensure the Continuity of Government (March 24)
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- City of Williamsburg:
Official websites, learning opportunities, surveys and other resources for localities.
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- GovPilot is offering free, cloud-based modules to assist local governments across the country. The software is easy to use, and can be implemented quickly. Videos walk a user through each module:
- Coronavirus Related Receipting & Expense Tracking for FEMA Reimbursement
- Coronavirus Drive-Through Testing Resident Registration
- Volunteer Registration Module
- GIS Digital Mapping
- Report-a-Concern via the GovAlert App
- Work Orders
- Open Records Requests (FOIA & OPRA)
- IT Ticket Management
- Contract Tracking
- Vehicle & Equipment Management
- GovPilot is offering free, cloud-based modules to assist local governments across the country. The software is easy to use, and can be implemented quickly. Videos walk a user through each module:
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- National League of Cities (NLC): Summary of Senate Passage of CARES Act, Third COVID-19 Response Package
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- U.S. Department of Labor: Families First Coronavirus Response Act Notice – Frequently Asked Questions
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- The National League of Cities (NLC) has released an infographic showing the results of their recent COVID-19 survey. The poll was conducted by Morning Consult, NLC asked 2200+ Americans how they support the tough decisions local leaders are making in their cities and how their communities are receiving them.
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- COVID-19 Surveys for Localities: Polco / National Research Center experts have prepared a suite of surveys to help local governments monitor community health and respond to the current coronavirus pandemic. The surveys are pre-loaded in Polco as drafts ready for local officials to review, publish, and promote. They include the following:
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- The Household Status Survey
- Resident Knowledge and Attitudes Survey
- Community Action Survey
- The Business Survey
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- Download: Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) – COVID-19 Quick Reference for Homeless Shelters
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- Website: Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) COVID-19 with information regarding role of the community services boards/behavioral health authorities during COVID-19.
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- Website: Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) COVID-19 with general operating information/FAQs for school divisions as well as information and details of federal approval to feed children under the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Seamless Summer Option and a list of approved service sites (as of March 20).
State and Federal executive orders, directives, guidelines, and press releases.
Recently added:
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- Seeking FEMA Assistance to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Steps and contact information for localities to use when engaging FEMA
With many states, including Virginia, issuing orders for residents to remain home and all but “essential” businesses to close, it can be confusing to know what is permitted and what is not. This page also includes examples of what other states have done as well as supporting information.
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- Governor Northam Orders Statewide Closure of Certain Non-Essential Businesses, K-12 Schools:
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A COOP is not required under the Code but are strongly advised; the Code of Virginia addresses these plans in Sec. 44-146.18 B.6.
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- THIS LINK WAS UPDATED TO AN EXPANDED VERSION OF THE WORKSHEET ON 3/27/2020: The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has offered a Continuity of Operation Plan (COOP) worksheet for those localities that have not yet created a COOP. You can download the worksheet here >
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Information helpful to local businesses seeking financial assistance or clarification of guidelines.
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- United States Department of Labor: Employee Rights – Paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
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- Business Survey: Polco/NRC survey for use by Chambers of Commerce, Economic Developments Authorities, etc. to measure the effect of COVID-19 on businesses. It assesses the current and anticipated economic impact on employment, supply chain and business models. More information available here >.
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- U.S. Small Business Administration Updates Criteria on States for Requesting Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19). Read the press release here.
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- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources. Includes information on the following topics:
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
- Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- SBA Products and Resources
- Government Contracting
- Local Assistance
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources. Includes information on the following topics:
Sections of the Code of Virginia relevant to the current state of emergency.
Relevant information on health insurance and coverage.
Recently added:
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- United States Department of Labor: Employee Rights – Paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
