Editor’s Note: For more daily updates on how the coronavirus is impacting Northern Virginia, click here.
Local
Fairfax County Public Schools has expanded its lunch programs for area students and families, with more than 40 sites including schools and pop-up locations where students can pick up breakfast and lunch while schools are closed. “Breakfast will be served from 8 to 10:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the locations,” school system officials said in a statement. (WTOP)
Local
On March 18, Amazon announced that it would donate $1 million to four DC-area nonprofits, with Arlington Community Foundation as one of them. The company’s offering of “emergency COVID-19 response funds” will also be used in Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Prince William County and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland. (ARLNow)
Local
In response to this week’s limitations on gatherings limited to 10 people, Potomac Mills mall has decided to close through Sunday, March 29. The parent company, Simon Property Group, is closing all locations as of March 18, including Pentagon City Mall and others. The Costco on-site in Woodbridge will remain open. (Inside NoVA)
Local
The Torpedo Factory Art Center remains open in Alexandria despite the outbreak, but has told resident artists that their presence is voluntary. The Art League, which houses workshops, classes and events in the building, has canceled all upcoming events until further notice. (ARLNow)
Local
The 95th Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase, set to be held outside of The Plains on Saturday, May 2, has been postponed until Saturday, June 20. (Fauquier Now)
Regional
“Metro has lost 85% of its ridership,” said general manager Paul Wiedefeld in a letter to the Congressional delegation for the National Capital Region. WMATA is seeking emergency funding after telling local riders to only use public transit if absolutely necessary. As of Thursday, March 19, trains are running every 15 minutes and all stations are closing at 11 p.m. (WTOP)
Regional
Unemployment claims are rising in Virginia as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to close local businesses and send a rippling effect of layoffs across the country. The state received 4,186 applications on Tuesday and more than 5,000 as of midday Wednesday, according to Northam’s administration. Gov. Ralph Northam’s administration says they are working hard to expand the program to accommodate the growing need. (Inside NoVA)
National
The Department of Defense has banned all domestic travel for service members, department civilians and their families due to the spread of the coronavirus, through Monday, May 11. The department is also limiting access to the Pentagon, halting all tours and large gatherings. (Inside NoVA)
More events and large gatherings are being canceled across the region. For specific announcements, please check our events cancellation page.
