INFORMATION ON COVID-19 FOR INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Stafford County Tourism is in close contact with Virginia Tourism, Stafford County Government, the Virginia Department of Health, and other agencies about ongoing developments and how our industry can be constructive partners with current efforts in order to best protect our visitors and our citizens.

Given the rapidly evolving situation with the COVID-19 virus, Stafford County Government has decided to postpone or cancel all events and community programs and classes held at county facilities through March 31. Due to concerns over the potential for increasing coronavirus cases across the United States and the Governor’s recent State of Emergency declaration, it is essential to continue to take the necessary precautions to assist in controlling the spread of the virus. Understanding the impacts of these decisions, these preventative measures are necessary to keep you and your family members healthy. For those directly affected by these decisions, county departments will communicate to participants with cancellation or postponement details.

Stafford County continues to work closely with the Virginia Department of Health, emergency management offices and other local and state governmental agencies to keep residents and employees informed and updated on the current coronavirus situation, and will provide updated information as the situation changes.
Immediately, the county will implement modified-operations while maintaining existing levels of services throughout this evaluation period, such as social distancing protocols, enhanced notices of proper health practices and the postponement of all non-essential meetings. These decisions are to ensure the safety and well-being of our visitors and staff, which is our highest priority. During modified-operations, residents and visitors will be able to access county services; however, we stress the following:

Take advantage of our online services by visiting www.staffordcountyva.gov;
Determine if your service or request is essential or that it can be postponed;
If you are sick, especially if you are showing signs and symptoms of COVID-19, please do not come to any county facility;
Visit our webpage at www.staffordcountyva.gov/coronavirus for pertinent information related to COVID-19;
Continue to exercise proper handwashing with soap and other preventive actions such as covering your cough, sneezing into your elbow or tissue, avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces at home.

Stafford County continues to reassess the evolving situation daily and will provide updates to the community to include notifying the public if there are any changes to these procedures before March 31. For more information on COVID-19, please visit Stafford’s Coronavirus Central Information page (www.staffordcountyva.gov/coronavirus) with links to local, state and federal authorities.

Stafford County is encouraging residents and travelers to be prepared to take precautions related to the virus. Per health officials’ recommendations, residents and visitors throughout the state should take the same precautions that are recommended during flu season. At this time, the CDC has not issued any travel alerts or warnings for travel within the United State because the risk of COVID-19 is considered low.

Guidance for Travelers
Travelers are encouraged to always exercise healthy travel habits when traveling and to follow guidance issued by official sources of public health information. At this time, the risk to Americans remains low and there are no restrictions on travel anywhere within the United States.

Guidance for Meeting and Event Planners
For information regarding COVID-19 and the meetings and events industry, visit meetingsmeanbusiness.com/coronavirus-resources.

VDH Interim Guidance for Mass Events and Large Community Events

Resources

VTC Talking Points for Media (updated 3/9/2020)
Get the Facts: COVID-19 (U.S. Travel Association)
Coronavirus Social Media Guide (U.S. Travel Association)
Coronavirus PPT Deck (U.S. Travel Association)
Information for Travelers (CDC)

Sincerely,
Lisa Logan, Assistant Director of Economic Development and Tourism
Stafford County Department of Economic Development & Tourism