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The original item was published from 3/18/2020 11:39:00 AM to 3/18/2020 11:41:12 AM.

News Flash

Petersburg News

Posted on: March 12, 2020

[ARCHIVED] COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources & Updates

Coronavirus-Graphic-5HMPG

Petersburg, Virginia COVID-19 UPDATES 


March 16, 2020

Petersburg City Government Operations:


Beginning March 17, 2020, City Government office buildings will either close to the public or open with reduced operations. 

Adjusted operation hours of 9:30am - 3:30pm will run from March 17, 2020 - March 30, 2020.


Facilities Closed to the Public include: 

- Petersburg Public Library 

- All Petersburg Museums 

- Blandford Cemetery Records Office (Only offering services via telephone or email)

- Petersburg Freedom Support Center 

- All City Parks, Recreation Facilities and Administrative Office 

- City Hall and City Hall Annex

- Community Corrections (20 East Tabb Street, 3rd Floor)  

- Fire Stations will be closed for Tours and Events

- Code Compliance 

- Petersburg Animal Care and Control

- Public Utilities and Street Operations

- Facilities Management & Operations Office 

- Union Train Station

- Petersburg City Office of Voter Registrations and Elections (Any  person needing to register to vote, to make changes of name and address, or need absentee balloting assistance for the June Election can visit the Election website of www.vote.virginia.gov or email petersburgelections@comcast.net)


Facilities open to the public with reduced operations include: 

- Fire Stations – (Emergency Only)

- Petersburg Bureau of Police (Front window only)

- Petersburg Area Transit (Greyhound Ticket Office only)

- Fiscal Management Building / Billing & Collections (Effective March 18, in-person payments only accepted through new collection window)*

- Department of Social Services – (Front Area Lobby only)

- Dogwood Trace Golf Course (Walk-up window only)


Petersburg Area Transit will continue operating with limited routes (see below)


* Billing and Collections: The Office of Billing and Collections will no longer accept cash payments. At this time, we are only accepting credit card, money order, cashier check, or personal check. 

  • To minimize any potential spread or exposure, the City is strongly encouraging our residents to use the online payment portal, drop box (located at 144 N. Sycamore Street), and pay by mail. 

  • Utilities will accept customers through the new collections window Monday-Friday, 10am-12pm and 1pm-2pm



March 15, 2020

All City government offices and facilities in Petersburg will be closed Monday, March 16th for planning and to begin additional cleaning in response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak: CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION


Petersburg Area Transit will provide limited service until further notice READ MORE

Limited Service Route Schedules

Limited Service Turn-By-Turn Routes


Residential recycling and trash collections are on regular pickup schedule week of March 16.

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Food Resources: 

Feed More: Click Here


Meals on Wheels Assistance: Click Here


Additional Local Food Resources: Click Here


To-Go Lunches: Click Here

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March 14, 2020

City Government Offices Will Remain Open

City staff will continue working with our Director of General Services to clean and disinfect public areas. However, given the rapidity of the COVID-19 spread, it is still strongly encouraged to continue practicing extreme personal hygiene including frequent hand washing with antibacterial soap for at least 20 seconds, avoiding touching your face, and covering coughs and sneezes to minimize airborne pathogens. 


Currently, to limit in-person interaction and avoid the spread of any respiratory illnesses, we are strongly encouraging our residents to use online payment portals, drop box and pay by mail to limit any potential exposure.


City Events and Outreach

Effective immediately, City sponsored events will be limited to no more than 30 participants. The Centers for Disease Control has yet to provide guidance on maximum event size, although it offers important advice to planners. 


When an event is taking place, planners should communicate to visitors and participants the importance of exercising their personal discretion. Please advise individuals not to attend if they fall into a category recommended for quarantine, they have underlying chronic health conditions, or they are sick.  


Postponed Events include:

-    March 17, 2020 City Council Meeting

-    Fiscal Management Building Open House/Ribbon Cutting

-    Petersburg Black History Month Festival

-    Don-A-Matrix Day Fitness Festival


March 13, 2020

Petersburg City Council Meeting scheduled for March 17, 2020 has been postponed until further notice.



March 12, 2020

The City of Petersburg is encouraging City employees and community members to heed necessary precautions to minimize the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is in constant communication with Petersburg administrative leaders, local health districts, the CDC, and other partners.


The best defense against the virus is rigorous personal hygiene, including frequent hand washing with antibacterial soap for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your face and always cover coughs and sneezes to minimize airborne pathogens.


Coronavirus in Virginia: Click Here 


Petersburg City Public Schools Coronavirus updates:  Click Here


Virginia State University Coronavirus Updates: Click Here


Richard Bland College Coronavirus Updates: Click Here


Southside regional medical center (Bon Secours) Coronavirus updates: Click Here



Travel abroad and Spring Break

With Spring Break near, it is important for families to become familiar with guidance and travel warnings posted on the Centers for Disease Control website. If you are traveling to a country with a Level 3 Travel Health Notice, the CDC guidance states: “Travelers should stay home for 14 days after returning to the United States and practice social distancing.” CDC TRAVEL GUIDELINES


Keep your Family Safe

If you or your child has symptoms of illness that would prevent participation at work or school, then please remain at home. Returning to work or school too soon may delay recovery from illness and may potentially expose others.



Petersburg Department of Social Services Resources:

commonhelp.virginia.gov

Calls for Medicaid: 1-855-242-8282

Customer Service Center: 1-855-635-4370



RESOURCES: 

Health District COVID-19 Video: Click Here


World Health Organization Videos: Click Here


Resources for Faith-Based Leaders: Click Here


Emergency Food Bank Assistance: Click Here


Meals on Wheels Assistance: Click Here


To-Go Lunches: Click Here



Links to more resources on COVID-19:

•    Virginia Department of Health (VDH)

•    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

•    World Health Organization



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StopGermSpread

COVID-19 Main Information Sites: 

COVID-19 Facts:

COVID-19 Symptoms and Prevention:

COVID-19 Help Stop Misinformation:

COVID-19 Community and Household Preparation: 

COVID-19 Travel Guidelines: 

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