On Friday, June 12, the City of Richmond will move into Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan, Forward Virginia.
 
Under Phase Two of Forward Virginia, eating and drinking establishments may offer indoor dining at 50 percent capacity, fitness centers may open indoor facilities at 30 percent capacity, and certain recreation and entertainment venues that do not rely on shared equipment may open with restrictions.
 
“Given the data landscape, the governor’s requirement that all Virginians wear face coverings and my trust in the Richmond community to look out for each other, I’m comfortable with our city entering Phase Two of Forward Virginia,” said Mayor Stoney.
“However, we cannot forget that beating this disease for good will require avid community testing, contact tracing and stable isolation for COVID-19 positive patients,” he continued. “This is the biggest team project we’ve ever undertaken as a city, and it will continue to require compassion and cooperation from every one of us.”
 
Since mid-March, the City of Richmond has operated under various stages of closure while adopting basic practices that are proven to fight the spread of COVID-19: wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, sanitizing hands and spaces and intentionally protecting the most vulnerable individuals and communities.
 
The Richmond City Health District, alongside the City of Richmond, continues to provide testing opportunities, primary care support, mask distribution and supported isolations for those that need it.
 
Said Director of Richmond City and Henrico County Health Districts Dr. Danny Avula: “We know that our ability to reopen our economy, to enjoy social and faith-based gatherings, and to move forward from the most difficult early days of this pandemic depends on our continued practice of these same key prevention methods.”
 
“This week, as we look at local and regional trends in cases, hospitalization data, and continued reassuring reports on hospital capacity, I support Richmond’s advancement to Phase 2,” continued Dr. Avula. “However, our success in this phase will depend on everyone becoming familiar with the guidelines for how we can live, work, and play safely at this point, and sharing what they learn with their family, friends, and coworkers.” 
 
The following is a list of guidelines all Richmonders should follow during Phase Two:
Continue to wear face masks.
Keep six feet of distance from anyone outside your household.
Avoid visits or social gatherings, especially with individuals who are at higher risk.
Continue to wash or sanitize your hands frequently, but especially after leaving a public place or before adjusting or removing your mask.
If you experience symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and call your primary care provider to discuss testing opportunities, or call the Richmond and Henrico COVID-19 hotline at 804-205-3501 to register for a free testing event. Testing opportunities for City of Richmond residents are listed at RVAStrong.org/testing.
Remember and remind others that public playgrounds, wading pools and other recreational spaces where physical distancing and avoidance of common surfaces would be impossible will remain closed through Phase Two.
Social gatherings are limited to 50 people or 50 percent capacity of the event space, whichever is less.
 
The Commonwealth of Virginia has determined the guidelines that businesses and individuals who patronize those businesses should abide by during Phase Two. The following information is a summary of the requirements the state has made of businesses who wish to open during Phase Two. Requirements and best practices are available online in full here.
 
The state requires all businesses serving the public to undertake rigorous sanitation practices and display extensive signage promoting the health and safety of patrons and employees.
 
The signage should clearly state that no one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days is permitted in the establishment. It should also include reminders of public health precautions, such as social distancing, isolating when sick and options for high-risk individuals.
 
A link to these guidelines, printable resources, opportunities for small businesses to receive support and other guidance are available on RVAStrong.org/reopeningguidance.
 
Restaurant and beverage services:
 
Occupancy in the establishment is limited to 50 percent of the lowest occupancy load on the certificate of occupancy. Bar seating and congregate areas of the establishment must be closed.
 
Tables must be at least six feet apart to allow for adequate social distancing. If tables are immovable, then parties must be seated at least six feet apart.
 
All establishments should use single-use menus.
 
Additional mandatory requirements are provided in this document.
 
Restaurants in the City of Richmond who wish to expand outdoor seating on their own private property, such as a parking lot, should contact Chuck Davidson, Zoning Administrator at Chuck.Davidson@richmondgov.com. Those who wish to expand outdoor seating into the public right of way should apply for an encroachment permit. More guidance is available at RVAStrong.org/reopeningguidance.
 
Non-essential brick and mortar:
 
Non-essential brick and mortar retailers must limit occupancy to 50 percent of the lowest occupancy load on the certificate of occupancy.
 
Retailers must also encourage and assist in customers keeping six feet of distance while shopping and standing in line.
 
Additional mandatory requirements are provided in this document.
 
 
Fitness and exercise facilities:
 
Occupancy is limited to no more than 30 percent of the lowest occupancy load on the certificate of occupancy.
 
Patrons should keep 10 feet of distance between each other. To facilitate this, business owners must place exercise equipment at least 10 feet apart.
 
Before allowing patrons to enter, fitness facility staff should screen them for symptoms of COVID-19, asking if they are experiencing a fever, a cough, shortness of breath, chills, a sore throat, or muscle aches unaffiliated with another health condition. Anyone experiencing symptoms should not be permitted to use the facility. The state notes that these screenings should be conducted in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations.
 
Basketball and racquetball courts may be used as long as patrons maintain ten feet of social distance throughout use if they are not from the same household.
 
Additional mandatory requirements are provided in this document.
 
 
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools:
 
Swimming pools may be open only for lap swimming, diving, exercise and instruction. Hot tubs, spas, saunas, splash pads, spray pools, and interactive play features must be closed.
 
Lap swimmers and divers are to be held to the same standard of ten feet of distance as in exercise facilities.
 
Seating on pool decks must be at least ten feet apart.
 
As in exercise facilities, before allowing patrons to enter, pool staff should screen them for symptoms of COVID-19, asking if they are experiencing a fever, a cough, shortness of breath, chills, a sore throat, or muscle aches unaffiliated with another health condition. Anyone experiencing symptoms should not be permitted to use the pool. The state notes that these screenings should be conducted in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations.
 
Additional mandatory requirements are provided in this document.
 
 
Personal care and personal grooming services:
 
Service should still be offered by appointment only, with a maximum of two appointments occurring in one facility at a time.
 
Occupancy is limited to 50 percent of the lowest occupancy load on the certificate of occupancy.
 
Work stations must be at least six feet apart, and clients must wear face coverings during the entirety of the service.
 
Employers must maintain a list of the names and contact information for all clients, to include the date and time of the appointment, to aid in contact tracing efforts.
 
Additional mandatory requirements are provided in this document.
 
 
Entertainment and public amusement:
 
The following entertainment venues must still be closed in Phase Two: indoor theaters, indoor performing arts centers, indoor concert venues, indoor sports venues, horse racing facilities, bowling alleys, skating rinks, arcades, amusement parks, trampoline parks, fairs, carnivals, arts and craft facilities, escape rooms, trampoline parks and anything not explicitly approved by the state.
 
Phase Two allows for outdoor performing arts venues, outdoor concert venues, outdoor movie theaters, drive-in entertainment, outdoor sport venues, museums, botanical gardens, aquariums, zoos and public or private social clubs to open with restrictions.
 
Facilities that are permitted to and wish to open must create guest flow plan identifies potential areas of crowding and adjust layout inside and outside the facility accordingly.
 
Any on site retail, food or drink services, or fitness facilities must abide by the state requirements specific to those classifications of establishment.
 
Additional mandatory requirements for specific venue types are provided in this document.
 
Religious services:
 
Occupancy is limited to 50 percent of the lowest occupancy load on the certificate of occupancy of the room in which services are conducted.
 
Individuals not from the same household must be seated six feet away from each other. Acceptable seating distance should be marked.
 
Nothing should be passed around the gathering, and any items used to distribute food or drink must be single-use and immediately discarded.
 
Places of worship are still encouraged to continue meeting virtually, if possible, to protect congregants. 
 
Additional mandatory requirements are provided in this document.

##

As of Tuesday, June 9, using a handheld communications device such as a cell phone while driving will officially constitute distracted driving, a primary offense, in the City of Richmond. 
 
“Using cell phones while driving is more than a bad habit – it’s a deadly one,” said Mayor Stoney. “We all have a responsibility to put the phone down and prioritize the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, our fellow drivers and ourselves.”
 
Using a cell phone while driving will be considered a traffic infraction, punishable by a civil fine of $125 for the first offense and $250 for any subsequent offenses.
 
In this case, “using” includes more than just taking a phone call or texting. In addition to talking on the phone or texting, manipulating the device or screen while driving to view a map, listen to music, open an email or browse social media all constitute distracted driving because the driver’s attention is temporarily diverted from the public right of way and its inhabitants.
 
The law does not apply to drivers lawfully parked or stopped, meaning drivers may still use a handheld communications device within the confines of their vehicle as long as they are not actively driving. Emergency vehicle drivers and civilians reporting an emergency are exempted from the ordinance.
 
In 2018, 73 distracted driving crashes in the City of Richmond were the result of using a cell phone while driving. Due to underreporting, the actual number of motor vehicle crashes related to handheld communication devices is likely much higher.

See attached image for a “frequently asked questions” document provided by the Richmond Police Department.

##

As of Tuesday, June 9, using a handheld communications device such as a cell phone while driving will officially constitute distracted driving, a primary offense, in the City of Richmond. 
 
“Using cell phones while driving is more than a bad habit – it’s a deadly one,” said Mayor Stoney. “We all have a responsibility to put the phone down and prioritize the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, our fellow drivers and ourselves.”
 
Using a cell phone while driving will be considered a traffic infraction, punishable by a civil fine of $125 for the first offense and $250 for any subsequent offenses.
 
In this case, “using” includes more than just taking a phone call or texting. In addition to talking on the phone or texting, manipulating the device or screen while driving to view a map, listen to music, open an email or browse social media all constitute distracted driving because the driver’s attention is temporarily diverted from the public right of way and its inhabitants.
 
The law does not apply to drivers lawfully parked or stopped, meaning drivers may still use a handheld communications device within the confines of their vehicle as long as they are not actively driving. Emergency vehicle drivers and civilians reporting an emergency are exempted from the ordinance.
 
In 2018, 73 distracted driving crashes in the City of Richmond were the result of using a cell phone while driving. Due to underreporting, the actual number of motor vehicle crashes related to handheld communication devices is likely much higher.

See attached image for a “frequently asked questions” document provided by the Richmond Police Department.

##

Stoney to establish crisis alert, Citizen Review Board, introduce ordinance to remove Confederate monuments, implement racial equity study

On Tuesday, June 2, Mayor Levar Stoney met with hundreds of protestors outside of City Hall to apologize for the Richmond Police Department’s (RPD) use of tear gas on a peaceful gathering around the Lee Monument the evening before.
 
The mayor, along with Chief of Police Will Smith, apologized to peaceful protestors and remains committed to taking steps to improve the RPD.
 
“Protestors should always be able to exercise their First Amendment rights peacefully and without threat of violence,” said Mayor Stoney. “That’s your right, and we violated that yesterday,” he said, referring to the tear-gassing. 
 
Mayor Stoney has spoken to Colette McEachin, the Commonwealth Attorney, who is pursuing an independent investigation into the incident at the Lee Monument. Disciplinary action will be taken by the city against any police officers who violated RPD policy.
 
Many members of the group gathered at City Hall voiced specific concerns to the mayor and police chief over megaphone, feeding the conversation with personal anecdotes and proposals for reform.
 
“I understand my role, as with any good leader, was largely to listen,” said Mayor Stoney after the event. “Apologize from the bottom of my heart, and then just listen to the many young Black men and women who bared their souls to me.”
 
Later in the day, the mayor marched with Richmond protestors from the Virginia State Capitol to the Lee Monument. He was joined by Delegate Lamont Bagby, Chairman of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, and Councilman Mike Jones. 
 
Speaking to the crowd before the march began, Mayor Stoney made a commitment to enacting a crisis alert, also known as the Marcus Alert, exploring the creation of a Citizen Review Board (CRB), and reiterated RPD’s commitment to existing policy banning the use of chokeholds.
 
The Marcus Alert is named after Essex County Public Schools teacher and Virginia Commonwealth University graduate Marcus David Peters, who was killed in 2018 by a Richmond Police officer while experiencing a mental health crisis. The alert would enable the RPD and Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) to work collaboratively on calls for service related to persons experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis, with a focus on de-escalation by law enforcement and crisis intervention by mental health experts.
 
In response to a recommendation by Peters’ family and in support of ongoing community advocacy in the aftermath of his death, the Stoney administration and Richmond Police Department have been in conversation with RBHA on the creation and implementation of this crisis alert system since 2019. Mayor Stoney plans to engage with the family of Peters in the coming weeks to further collaborative dialogue around the details of the Marcus Alert and how it will operate. The Mayor will then introduce an ordinance to Richmond City Council. 
 
The Stoney administration is committed to the establishment of a CRB, which should be an entity independent of the police department’s internal affairs and consist of a diverse group of stakeholders. The mayor and Chief Smith are committed to working with the community on the structure and purpose of a local CRB.
 
Throughout the protest, the monuments of Confederate leaders on Monument Avenue have been thoroughly spray painted and served as rallying spaces for protestors. The city is granted the power to take down Confederate monuments on city land July 1, per recent action by the General Assembly.
 
Come July 1, the Stoney administration will introduce an ordinance, along with Councilman Mike Jones, to remove all Confederate monuments on Monument Avenue.
 
“I appreciate the recommendations of the Monument Avenue Commission – those were the appropriate recommendations at the time. But times have changed, and removing these statues will allow the healing process to begin for so many Black Richmonders and Virginians,” said Mayor Stoney. “Richmond is no longer the Capital of the Confederacy – it is filled with diversity and love for all – and we need to demonstrate that.” 
 
Moreover, earlier this year, the city began working on steps to ensure racial equity is a core component of its policies and practices. The city has proposed a racial equity strategy, which consists of racial equity training for staff, to include departmental equity-focused action plans, and a racial equity study to help provide the necessary roadmap and tools for greater inclusion and equity within city government. The mayor is committed to this work in order to help dismantle racist systems and policies and build more just ones that provide the opportunity for all city residents to succeed and thrive. 
 
“Yesterday, I marched with Richmond, for Richmond,” said Mayor Stoney. “George Floyd’s death may have happened in Minnesota, but the shock waves are bringing very valid pain to the surface in our city. Last night, Richmond told me to channel our city’s pain into reform.”
 
“Before the pandemic, I spent each and every day meeting Richmonders, gaining new perspectives on this city we all call home,” said Mayor Stoney. “The consensus is that some serious healing has to take place. We have so much work to do to build an equitable city and I’m committed to working with my fellow Richmonders to do so. That entails reforms to address racist systems, combating this public health crisis and addressing health inequities, and remaining committed to my administration’s priorities to life people up, including affordable housing, strong public education systems, economic empowerment, and fast and reliable public transportation.”
 
For the nights of May 31 to June 2, the City of Richmond was under an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew. That curfew is no longer in effect.

##

Stoney to establish crisis alert, Citizen Review Board, introduce ordinance to remove Confederate monuments, implement racial equity study

On Tuesday, June 2, Mayor Levar Stoney met with hundreds of protestors outside of City Hall to apologize for the Richmond Police Department’s (RPD) use of tear gas on a peaceful gathering around the Lee Monument the evening before.
 
The mayor, along with Chief of Police Will Smith, apologized to peaceful protestors and remains committed to taking steps to improve the RPD.
 
“Protestors should always be able to exercise their First Amendment rights peacefully and without threat of violence,” said Mayor Stoney. “That’s your right, and we violated that yesterday,” he said, referring to the tear-gassing. 
 
Mayor Stoney has spoken to Colette McEachin, the Commonwealth Attorney, who is pursuing an independent investigation into the incident at the Lee Monument. Disciplinary action will be taken by the city against any police officers who violated RPD policy.
 
Many members of the group gathered at City Hall voiced specific concerns to the mayor and police chief over megaphone, feeding the conversation with personal anecdotes and proposals for reform.
 
“I understand my role, as with any good leader, was largely to listen,” said Mayor Stoney after the event. “Apologize from the bottom of my heart, and then just listen to the many young Black men and women who bared their souls to me.”
 
Later in the day, the mayor marched with Richmond protestors from the Virginia State Capitol to the Lee Monument. He was joined by Delegate Lamont Bagby, Chairman of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, and Councilman Mike Jones. 
 
Speaking to the crowd before the march began, Mayor Stoney made a commitment to enacting a crisis alert, also known as the Marcus Alert, exploring the creation of a Citizen Review Board (CRB), and reiterated RPD’s commitment to existing policy banning the use of chokeholds.
 
The Marcus Alert is named after Essex County Public Schools teacher and Virginia Commonwealth University graduate Marcus David Peters, who was killed in 2018 by a Richmond Police officer while experiencing a mental health crisis. The alert would enable the RPD and Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) to work collaboratively on calls for service related to persons experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis, with a focus on de-escalation by law enforcement and crisis intervention by mental health experts.
 
In response to a recommendation by Peters’ family and in support of ongoing community advocacy in the aftermath of his death, the Stoney administration and Richmond Police Department have been in conversation with RBHA on the creation and implementation of this crisis alert system since 2019. Mayor Stoney plans to engage with the family of Peters in the coming weeks to further collaborative dialogue around the details of the Marcus Alert and how it will operate. The Mayor will then introduce an ordinance to Richmond City Council. 
 
The Stoney administration is committed to the establishment of a CRB, which should be an entity independent of the police department’s internal affairs and consist of a diverse group of stakeholders. The mayor and Chief Smith are committed to working with the community on the structure and purpose of a local CRB.
 
Throughout the protest, the monuments of Confederate leaders on Monument Avenue have been thoroughly spray painted and served as rallying spaces for protestors. The city is granted the power to take down Confederate monuments on city land July 1, per recent action by the General Assembly.
 
Come July 1, the Stoney administration will introduce an ordinance, along with Councilman Mike Jones, to remove all Confederate monuments on Monument Avenue.
 
“I appreciate the recommendations of the Monument Avenue Commission – those were the appropriate recommendations at the time. But times have changed, and removing these statues will allow the healing process to begin for so many Black Richmonders and Virginians,” said Mayor Stoney. “Richmond is no longer the Capital of the Confederacy – it is filled with diversity and love for all – and we need to demonstrate that.” 
 
Moreover, earlier this year, the city began working on steps to ensure racial equity is a core component of its policies and practices. The city has proposed a racial equity strategy, which consists of racial equity training for staff, to include departmental equity-focused action plans, and a racial equity study to help provide the necessary roadmap and tools for greater inclusion and equity within city government. The mayor is committed to this work in order to help dismantle racist systems and policies and build more just ones that provide the opportunity for all city residents to succeed and thrive. 
 
“Yesterday, I marched with Richmond, for Richmond,” said Mayor Stoney. “George Floyd’s death may have happened in Minnesota, but the shock waves are bringing very valid pain to the surface in our city. Last night, Richmond told me to channel our city’s pain into reform.”
 
“Before the pandemic, I spent each and every day meeting Richmonders, gaining new perspectives on this city we all call home,” said Mayor Stoney. “The consensus is that some serious healing has to take place. We have so much work to do to build an equitable city and I’m committed to working with my fellow Richmonders to do so. That entails reforms to address racist systems, combating this public health crisis and addressing health inequities, and remaining committed to my administration’s priorities to life people up, including affordable housing, strong public education systems, economic empowerment, and fast and reliable public transportation.”
 
For the nights of May 31 to June 2, the City of Richmond was under an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew. That curfew is no longer in effect.

##