Va. Gov. Update: DMV Offices to Close; Unemployment Benefits Available

At a news conference this morning, Governor Ralph Northam announced that all 75 Virginia DMV offices will be closed to the public. Online services will continue and expiring licenses and registrations will be extended by 60 days.

Northam also asked Virginians to abide by the federal "10-person rule" that discourages any gathering of more than ten people, including restaurants. Northam says the state is encouraging restaurants to provide take-out or delivery services only. He said he is not inclined, at this time, to totally close restaurants in the state or in a region such as Northern Virginia because statistics show that Virginians get about 45% of their meals from restaurants.

As for employees who are being displaced because of workplace modifications or lack of work, Northam says unemployment benefits will be made available immediately, waiving the usual one-week waiting period, and that the Virginia Employment Commission is ready to help anyone who needs to apply for benefits.

COVID-19/Coronvirus cases in the state now stand at 67 active cases with 48 tests pending. There have been two deaths. The state currently has 300-400 tests available, but more will be arriving shortly. Northam says drive-through testing areas will also be set up soon, but that prospective patients will still have to be screened for symptoms and contacts before being approved for testing.

State Secretary of Public Health, Dr. Daniel Carey, says his office is working with Virginia hospital systems to determine the number of potential beds that will be available, how much equipment is on hand or is needed, and ways of converting spaces, such as unused operating rooms, into treatment spaces.

Governor Northam, who is a physician, continued to urge Virginians to follow precautionary measures such as frequent hand washing and social distancing. He especially encouraged younger Virginians to take precautions in order to protect older, more vulnerable Virginians.

For more on this developing story, visit our media partner ABC 13 - WSET.


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