July 2021
7/20/2021 — Governor Northam Announces Virginia’s Unemployment Rate Dropped Again, Falling to 4.3 Percent in June. Read the update.
7/20/2021 — Governor Northam Proposes $353 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Accelerate Small Business Recovery. Read the information.
7/13/2021 — Passenger Vehicle Driver Skills Testing Expanded Across the Commonwealth. Appointment opportunities now available at 72 customer service centers. Read the announcement.
7/13/2021 — Governor Northam Announces Extension of Expanded Child Care Subsidy Program for Virginia Families. Read the release.
7/6/2021 — Virginia Department of Health Reminds Virginians of Important Role of Masks to Protect Against COVID-19. Read the guidance.
7/6/2021 — Virginia Department of Health Releases Update to Covidwise App. Read about the update.
June 2021
6/29/2021 — 2-1-1 Virginia Launches Live Text Functionality, 24-Hour referral service expands access and support to communities. Read the details.
6/29/2021 –Governor Northam Announces General Assembly to Convene Special session to Address State Budget, Including the Allocation of Federal Relief Funding. Read the announcement.
6/22/2021 — VDH Adds New Variant of Concern to the COVID-19 Variants of Concern Dashboard. Read the information.
6/22/2021 — Governor Northam Announces 70 Percent of Adult Virginians Have Received at Least One COVID-19 Vaccine Dose. Read the release.
6/15/2021 — Virginia Awarded $30.6 Million from CDC to Address Health Inequities During Covid-19 Pandemic. Read the announcement.
6/15/2021 — Governor Northam Launches Return to Earn Grant Program to Help Virginians Transition Back to Work. Read the details.
6/8/2021 — Everyone in Virginia Age 12 or Older Is Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine Now. Find out more.
6/8/2021 — Virginia brings back job search requirement to receive unemployment. Read the details.
6/1/2021 — Governor Northam Lifts Mask Mandate to Align with CDC Guidance, Announces Virginia to End COVID-19 Mitigation Measures. Read the executive order.
6/1/2021 — Virginia Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Data Dashboard Updated to Reflect Federal Doses in Totals and Progress toward Adult Vaccination Goals. Read the announcement.
May 2021
5/25/2021 — DMV to Expand Appointment Opportunities as COVID-19 Restrictions are Eased. Customer Service Centers are Now Able to Open Additional Windows. Read the article.
5/25/2021 — Dominion Energy Offers Arrears Forgiveness. Read the announcement.
5/18/2021 — Governor Northam Directs Virginia Employment Commission to Speed Up Processing of Unemployment Claims. Read the release.
5/18/2021 — Governor Northam Lifts Mask Mandate to Align with CDC Guidance, Announces Virginia to End COVID-19 Mitigation Measures on May 28. Read the information.
5/11/2021 — Statement from Virginia State Vaccination Coordinator Dr. Danny Avula on FDA Authorization of Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine for those 12 and Older. Read the statement.
5/11/2021 — Governor Northam Announces $62.7 Million in Virginia LEARNS Education Recovery Grants. Funding will support targeted initiatives to address pandemic-related learning loss. Read the details.
5/4/2021 — Governor Northam Updates Mask Guidance to Align with CDC Changes. Read the release.
5/4/2021 — Reminder that the Virginia individual income tax filing deadline has been extended to May 17. Read the details.
April 2021
4/27/2021 — Governor Northam Announces Expanded Capacity, Social Gathering Limits to Begin May 15. Read the article.
4/27/2021 — The Virginia Department of Education in collaboration with VDH is launching two K-12 school testing pilot programs. These pilot programs begin in April and conclude June 30, 2021: a diagnostic testing pilot program and a screening testing pilot program. Read about the pilot programs.
4/20/2021 — Virginia’s COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Now Open for All Adults. Read the release.
4/20/2021 — Virginia Employment Commission Announces News About Overpayments. Read the announcement.
4/13/2021 — Statement from Virginia State Vaccination Coordinator Dr. Danny Avula On Pause in Administration of Johnson and Johnson Vaccine. Read the statement.
4/13/ 2021 — Virginia Department of Health Announces ASL Capabilities for Vaccine Call Center. Read the details.
4/6/2021 — Governor Northam Announces Virginia to Expand Vaccine Eligibility to All Adults by April 18 as Vaccinations Continue Rising. Read the announcement.
4/6/2021 — Virginia Expands COVID-19 Vaccination Workforce, Creates Additional Pathway to Enlist Volunteer Vaccinators. Read the release.
March 2021
3/30/2021 — Virginia Individual Income Tax Filing and Payment Deadline Extended to May 17, 2021. Read the release.
3/30/2021 — VDEM and VDH Urge Individuals to Not Travel to Community Vaccination Centers Without an Official Appointment or Invitation. Read the article.
3/23/2021 — Governor Northam Announces Limited Capacity Increases for Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings, Some Entertainment Venues as Vaccinations Rise. Read the release.
3/23/2021 — Governor Announces New Service to Assist Virginia Students Applying for Financial Aid to help address the COVID-19 related decline in completion rates of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Read the release.
3/16/2021 — Governor and First Lady Northam Receive Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine. Virginia National Guard administered vaccines as part of new mobile vaccination teams. Read the details.
3/16/2021 — Some Virginia Health Districts to Begin Transition to Phase 1C Vaccinations. All communities are expected to move into Phase 1c by mid-April. Read the release.
3/9/2021 — As of 3/8/2021, COVIDWISE has been downloaded 1,048,522 times! Learn why it’s important in helping track the virus.
3/9/2021 — Pilot program will award $2.6 million in grants to build local capacity for eviction reduction services in highly impacted localities, address immediate and post-pandemic needs. Read the announcement.
3/2/2021 — Virginia to Begin Offering New, One-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine Next Week Following Federal Approval. Read the announcement.
3/2/2021 — Governor Northam Increases Capacity Limits for Outdoor Sports and Entertainment Venues as COVID-19 Hospitalizations and Infection Rates Continue to Fall, Vaccinations Rise. Read the new regulations.
February 2021
2/23/2021 — Tune in Wednesday (2/24) at 11:00 AM for the Governor’s update on #COVID19 in our Commonwealth. View it here.
2/23/2021 — Governor Northam Unveils Statewide COVID-19 Vaccine Pre-Registration System. Note: Fairfax County opted out of the statewide system. Read the details.
2/16/2021 — Governor Northam Announces $524 Million in New Funding for Virginia Rent Relief Program. Federal stimulus funds available to help landlords and tenants impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. Read the details.
2/16/2021 — Governor Northam, Governor Hogan, and Mayor Bowser Request Federal Support to Vaccinate Essential Federal Employees. Read the release.
2/9/2021 — VDH Announces Roll Out of Vaccination Program at CVS Pharmacy. Read the announcement.
2/9/2021 — Governor Northam Calls on School Divisions to Safely Return Students to Classrooms Statewide. Read the details.
2/2/2021 — Governor Northam Announces New Actions to Speed Up Vaccinations, Increase Data Transparency. Read the details.
2/2/2021 — Virginia Department of Health Launches Text Messaging Service To Streamline Positive Test Result Awareness and Exposure Notifications. New messaging service will assist with timely test verification for users to anonymously submit positive results to others. Read the release.
January 2021
1/26/2021 — Find out your Vaccine phase. Take the assessment.
1/26/2021 — First Case of B.1.1.7 COVID-19 Variant Identified in Virginia. Read the details.
1/19/2021 — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has launched a COVID-19 Outbreaks in Virginia Higher Education dashboard. Read the announcement.
1/19/2021 — VDH Expands Partnership with Walgreens To Offer Antigen Testing at No Cost. Read the release.
1/12/2021 — Governor Northam Announces New Steps to Accelerate COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts. Read the article.
1/12/2021 — Virginia Department of Health Outlines COVID-19 Vaccination Response. Visit the website.
1/5/2021 — Governor Northam to Hold COVID-19 Briefing Wednesday, January 6 at 2:00 p.m. Watch the briefing here.
1/5/2021 — Virginia Department of Health COVID-19 Website Includes Vaccination Response Information. Visit the website.
December 2020
12/29/2020 — Governor Northam Commits Additional $20 Million to Rebuild VA Economic Recovery Fund. Funding will fulfill pending grant awards for over 300 eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Read the details.
12/29/2020 — Virginia Department of Health Launches COVID-19 Vaccine Data Dashboard. Read the release.
12/22/2020 — COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall Video Recording Now Available. If you weren’t able to tune in, check out the video recording of the COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall.
12/22/2020 — Virginia Now Planning for 370,650 Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine By December 2020. Read the article.
12/15/2020 — Governor Northam Welcomes First Shipments of COVID-19 Vaccine to Virginia. Frontline health care workers to begin receiving vaccine in coming days. Read the information.
12/15/2020 — Governor Northam Announces New Mitigation Measures to Slow COVID-19 Spread. Read the release.
12/8/2020 — Virginia Department of Health Announces New Contact Tracing Prioritization and Reduced Quarantine Guidelines. Read the details.
12/8/2020 — Virginia’s COVID-19 Vaccination Priorities Announced. Read the release.
12/1/2020 — Contracts Awarded for Virginia’s OneLab Network to Expand Commonwealth’s Public Health COVID-19 Testing Capacity. Read the announcement.
12/1/2020 — UVA recently hosted Dr. Anthony Fauci and others to talk about the latest on COVID-19 and vaccine progress and has made the one-hour address available on YouTube. Watch the video.
November 2020
11/24/2020 — The Virginia Employment Commission Announced the End of Extended Benefits. Read the details.
11/24/2020 — Virginia Department of Health Coronavirus Webpage Includes Map to Find COVID-19 Testing Sites. Explore the map.
11/17/2020 — Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Provides Information on Latest News About Approach to Vaccines in the Commonwealth. Visit the web page.
11/17/2020 — Governor Northam Announces New Statewide Measures to Contain COVID-19. Read the new measures.
11/10/2020 — Governor Northam Allocates $60 Million in CARES Act Funding for Municipal Utility Relief. Total of $120 million will provide payment support for customers impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. Read the details.
11/10/2020 — Governor Northam Directs $7 Million in CARES Act Funding to Virginia Food Banks. Money will help address food insecurity amid COVID-19 pandemic. Read the information.
11/3/2020 — Governor Northam Directs $30 Million to Support Workforce Training for Unemployed Virginians. Read the release.
11/3/2020 — CARES Act funding will support ongoing COVID-19 response at colleges, universities, and medical schools. Read the details.
October 2020
10/27/2020 — Governor Northam Announces $65.8 Million to Increase Child Care Access, Help Providers. The new funding will increase access to child care and support child care providers amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read the release.
10/27/2020 — Governor Northam Announces $22 Million for Virginia COVID-19 Vaccination Program. Funding will support statewide vaccination program when vaccine is approved. Read the details.
10/20/2020 — Governor Northam Authorizes Hazard Pay for Home Health Workers. Read the release.
10/20/2020 — Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond Recognizes Healthcare Workers and First Responders with Free Admission to “Treasures of Ancient Egypt: Sunken Cities.” Read the details.
10/13/2020 — Governor Northam Directs More Than $220 Million in CARES Act Funding to Virginia’s K-12 Schools. Read the release.
10/13/2020 — Governor Northam Announces Additional Funding for Rent and Mortgage Relief. Read the details.
10/6/2020 — Virginia Employment Commission Launches Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program. Read the information.
10/6/2020 — Virginia to invest $1.7 million to scale up Network2Work initiative connecting job seekers to high-quality careers, wraparound supports. Read the details.
September 2020
9/29/2020 — Virginia Department of Health Announces New Pandemic Metrics Dashboard. Read about the Dashboard.
9/29/2020 — Governor Northam Announces Expansion of Rent and Mortgage Relief Program for Landlords. Read the details.
9/22/2020 — Virginia Department of Health Announces Results of COVID-19 Serology Study. Read the results.
9/22/2020 — Governor Northam Announces Expansion of Rebuild VA Grant Fund for Small Businesses, Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19. Read the release.
9/15/2020 — Manpower Virtual Job Fair Wednesday, September 16, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. View or download a flyer.
9/15/2020 — State Corporation Commission Announces Utility Service Cut-off Moratorium Extended to October 5. Read the announcement.
9/8/2020 — The Virginia Department of Health encourages residents to get an annual influenza (flu) vaccination to reduce the chance of getting the flu and spreading it to others. Read the recommendations.
9/8/2020 — Governor Ralph Northam announced proposals to expand access to voting for the November 3rd General Election amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full article.
9/1/2020 — Virginia Extends Certain DMV-issued Credentials, including driver’s licenses, learner’s permits, and identification cards originally
expiring in August, September, and October 2020. Read the full announcement.
9/1/2020 — Governor Northam Announces $4 Million to Expand Legal Aid Services for Virginians Facing Eviction. Read the release.
August 2020
8/25/2020 — Virginia Receives Approval to Expand Access to Health Care through State-Based Exchange. Read the release.
8/25/2020 — As of today, August 25, over 437,000 Virginians have downloaded COVIDWISE. Learn more about the app.
8/18/2020 — Governor Northam Signs Executive Order to Address Impacts of COVID-19 in State-Operated Psychiatric Hospitals. Read the release.
8/18/2020 — Governor Northam Proposes Voter Protection Measures Ahead of November General Election. Read the release.
8/11/2020 — Virginia Supreme Court Grants Temporary Statewide Eviction Moratorium. Read the release.
8/11/2020 — Northam Administration will be hosting a series of webinars on the disproportionate impact that COVID-19 has had on communities of color, and how the COVIDWISE smartphone app can help mitigate that impact. View or download an information sheet.
4/2020 — Virginia Joins Bipartisan, Interstate Compact to Expand Rapid Antigen Testing. Read the release.
8/4/2020 — Virginia Association of Community Services Boards Announces Warm Line Available for those Struggling with COVID. Read the details.
July 2020
7/28/2020 — Northern Virginia Regional Commission Shares Spanish Language Video for COVID-19 Prevention. Watch the video.
7/27/2020 — Governor Northam Announces $70 Million Rebuild VA Economic Recovery Fund for Small Businesses, Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19. View or download a flyer.
7/21/2020 — The Virginia Employment Commission is teaming with State Agencies and companies across the entire State of Virginia to have a Statewide Virtual Hiring Event on the 28th of July 2020 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Read the details.
7/21/2020 — Virginia Adopts First-in-the-Nation Workplace Safety Standards for COVID-19 Pandemic. Read the release.
7/14/2020 — Virginia Updates Phased Reopening Plan for Schools. Read the updated guidance.
7/14/2020 — Virginia Employment Commission Releases Updated Unemployment Insurance Data, PEUC Program Information. Read the release.
7/7/2020 — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Announces Additional DMV Customer Service Centers to Reopen across the Commonwealth, 38 Offices Reopened for Specific Services by Appointment Only. Read the announcement.
7/7/2020 — Virginia Department of Health Urges Virginians to Engage with Legitimate Contact Tracers, Avoid Scams. Read the release.
June 2020
6/30/2020 — Governor Northam Prohibits Congregating in Bars, Stresses Caution As Virginia Moves to Phase Three. Read the release.
6/30/2020 — Validity of Virginia DMV-issued Credentials Extended Additional 90 Days. View or download the announcement.
6/23/2020 — HCA Virginia Health System Establishes Hotline to Help Recently Unemployed Get Health Insurance Coverage. Read the release.
6/23/2020 — State Corporation Commission Cautions Virginians to Understand Private Offering Risks. Read the release.
6/16/2020 — Governor Northam Announces Expansion of Data Sharing Platform to Help Combat COVID-19. Opioid data-sharing platform leveraged to provide statewide visibility on virus outbreaks and availability of critical resources. Read the release.
6/16/2020 — Governor Northam Announces New Tools for Virginia Workers and Job Seekers. Read the release.
6/16/2020 — SCC Extends Ban on Utility Service Cut-offs to August 31. Read the release.
6/9/2020 — Governor Northam Outlines Conditions for Schools to Open in the Fall. View or download the comprehensive guidance here.
6/9/2020 — Virginia Announces Temporary Moratorium on Evictions. Read the release.
6/2/2020 — Validity of Virginia DMV-issued Credentials Extended. Read the release.
6/2/2020 — Governor Northam Announces Phase Two Guidelines to Further Ease Public Health Restrictions. Phase Two expected to begin Friday June 5, Northern Virginia and Richmond to remain in Phase One. Read the release.
May 2020
5/26/2020 — Governor Northam Announces Face Covering Requirement and Workplace Safety Regulations. Face coverings required in public settings starting Friday, May 29. Read the Executive Order.
5/26/2020 — The Virginia Department of Health has launched a new site, COVIDCheck where you can check your symptoms, find a testing location, or get answers about your COVID-19 questions.
5/19/2020 — Governor Northam Postpones June 9, 2020 Primary Election to June 23, 2020 Due to COVID-19. Read the release.
5/19/2020 — COVID-19 Update from the Virginia Association of Health Plans.
5/19/2020 — Stay.Home.Virginia. Provides Housing Resources. Visit the website if you’ve been financially impacted by COVID-19 to explore these resources.
5/12/2020 — Governor Northam Delays Phase One for Northern Virginia Localities. Read the release.
5/12/2020 — Virginia Department of Health provides a more interactive & personalized experience to find COVID-19 information. Visit the website.
5/5/2020 — Virginia Department of Social Services announced federal approval for Virginia to provide Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits to families of school-age children who no longer have access to free or reduced-price school meals due to public school closures. Details are at https://www.dss.virginia.gov/files/division/pa/news_releases/2020/Final_Press_Release_-_SNAP_Emergency_Allotment_docx.pdf
APRIL 2020
4/30/2020 — Governor Northam announces that scheduled medical procedures, which have been postponed for more than one month due to COVID-19 concerns, will be allowed to resume as of May 1. Read answers to frequently asked questions.
4/30/2020 — Governor Northam Acts to Ensure Liability Protections for Healthcare Workers. Read the release.
4/29/2020 — The Virginia Department of Health has a new web page to help answer commonly-asked questions about the Coronavirus. Visit the web page.
4/29/2020 — Governor Northam Announces Expansion of Payment Relief for Student Loan Borrowers. Read the release.
4/28/2020 — Governor Northam Extends Ban on Elective Surgeries, Closure of DMV Offices. Read the release.
4/24/2020 — Governor Northam Postpones Upcoming May Elections in Response to COVID-19. Virginians encouraged to vote absentee by mail. Read the release.
4/21/2020 — Governor Northam Extends Business Closures for Two Weeks to May 8. Read the release.
4/16/2020 — Guidelines issued for self-employed, gig workers, 1099 filers, and other workers not covered under the Virginia Unemployment Compensation Act. Read or download guidelines.
4/14/2020 — Updates and information from the Virginia Department of Education. Read here.
4/13/2020 — Virginia Association of Health Plans (VAHP) releases information about Health Insurance Coverage in the COVID-19 Crisis
4/11/2020 — SCC Extends Ban on Utility Service Disconnects Until June 14. Read the press release.
4/8/2020 — Governor Northam Announces Plans to Postpone Upcoming Virginia Elections in Response to COVID-19. Read more.
4/7/2020 — Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is allowing an additional 60 days for drivers to renew vehicle registrations expiring in March and April.
4/6/2020 — COVID-19 cases in Virginia by the numbers.
4/2/2020 — Families and parents in Virginia can now visit the school meal finder website to find locations near them where local school divisions are offering free school meals—both breakfast and lunch, for pick-up while school buildings are closed due to COVID-19
MARCH 2020
3/30/2020 — The Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) has a webpage with information and resources for those who need civil legal assistance. https://vplc.org/learn/covid-19-civil-legal-response-in-virginia/
3/30/2020 — The Virginia Tax Department has a webpage with information about taxes during the pandemic. https://www.tax.virginia.gov/news/coronavirus-updates
3/30/2020 — Governor Ralph Northam has issued a Stay at Home Executive Order due to COVID-19. Read the order here.
3/30/202 — The Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) has issued a call for volunteers. Learn more.
3/30/2020 — The Supreme Court of Virginia has issued an ORDER EXTENDING DECLARATION OF JUDICIAL EMERGENCY IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 EMERGENCY.
3/30/2020 — Child Care Hotline. Parents needing to find a child care provider can call (866) KIDS-TLC or (866) 543-7852.
3/28/2020 — State of Virginia has issued an EMERGENCY REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) Coronavirus (COVID-19) personal protective supplies
3/27/2020 — Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) provides updated numbers of COVID-19 Cases in the Commonwealth. https://www.vpap.org/covid-19/
3/26/2020 — Resources from the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Download a general information flyer on filing claims. More information is available at http://www.vec.virginia.gov/.
3/25/2020 — Governor Northam Directs Postponement of Elective Surgeries. Order will preserve medical beds and personal protective equipment for COVID-19 response. Read the press release.
3/25/2020 — Governor Ralph Northam’s administration has provided frequently asked questions with answers on Executive Order Fifty-Three.
3/23/2020 — Governor Ralph Northam today issued, “a statewide order to protect the health and safety of Virginians and reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. Executive Order Fifty-Three orders the closure of certain non-essential businesses, bans all gatherings of more than 10 people, and closes all K-12 schools for the remainder of the academic year. Governor Northam is also urging all Virginians to avoid non-essential travel outside the home, if and when possible. This order goes into effect at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 and will remain in place until 11:59 PM on Thursday, April 23, 2020.” Read more …. Watch the video of today’s announcement here.
3/23/2020 — The Virginia Department of Health reports that the Office of Vital Records walk-in customer service lobby at 2001 Maywill St, Richmond, VA 23230 is now closed due to COVID-19 public health precautions. The Office of Vital Records does remain open to process customer mail-in applications and answer customer telephone inquiries. (804-662-6200) Read more ….