This year, Halloween will look different due to the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Events that involve large gatherings of individuals (e.g. large Halloween parties, haunted houses, etc) can increase the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and are not recommended. The more closely people interact with others and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to the virus. This means choosing not to participate in standard Halloween activities during the pandemic. Below are some safe, alternative ways to participate in Halloween.
Only prepare goodie bags if you are COVID-19 negative. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags. Hand sanitizer should be used when soap and water is not available.
Trick-or-treating involves increased risk for transmitting COVID-19, due to the potential for close proximity to many people and the difficulty for children trick-or-treaters to follow mask use and social distancing recommendations. If you do choose to trick-or-treat, it is important to protect yourself using the following recommendations:
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past ten days, or have been in contact with someone with COVID in the past 14 days, follow VDH guidance to stay home and away from others. If you are self-isolating or self-quarantining, do not participate in trick-or-treating this year, and look for other virtual options to celebrate.
Maintain at least six six feet of distance between yourself and others who do not live in your household at all times.
Wash your hands before going trick-or-treating or handing out candy. Hand sanitizer should be used while trick-or-treating or handing out candy when soap and water are not available.
Wear a cloth mask. Halloween masks may not fit snugly against the face and may not cover the nose and mouth. Halloween masks with gaps and holes do not protect against inhaling respiratory droplets from other people. Cloth masks should be worn under costume masks to keep a close fit over your nose and mouth. Ensure that any cloth mask worn under a costume mask does not inhibit the ability to breathe easily.
If you hand out candy, consider setting up an area outside, like a folding table or chairs, to setout candy. Space out the placement of treats so that multiple people do not have to reach into the same bowl or find contactless ways to deliver treats, like a candy chute that is more than six feet long. For trunk-or-treating, create distance between cars by parking in every other space.
This is a notification about an upcoming temporary traffic pattern change taking place as part of the Granby Street Bridge Rehabilitation project. Starting the week of October 12 until spring 2021, the right northbound lane on the bridge will be closed to facilitate bridge repairs. The following conditions can be expected until spring 2021:
Concrete barriers will separate northbound bridge traffic from the work zone in the right lane.
Two lanes of traffic will remain open in each direction on Granby Street.
The speed limit will be temporarily reduced to 25 MPH on northbound Granby Street, between 40th Street and Willow Wood Drive.
The sidewalk on the east side of the bridge will be closed temporarily. The sidewalk on the west side of the bridge will remain open.
The bike lane on the southbound side of the bridge will remain open.
The fishing pier will be closed temporarily.
Starting on Tuesday, October 13 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., northbound Granby Street will be reduced temporarily to a single lane of traffic for up to three days. During these timeframes, the right northbound lane will be closed north of 41st Street, and the two right northbound lanes on the bridge will be closed. These lane closures will allow the contractor to set the concrete barriers for the extended closure of the right lane on the bridge. Business and residential entrances will be maintained during the lane closures.
Full closure of the northbound side of the bridge is anticipated in spring of 2021. The full closure of the southbound side of the bridge is not anticipated until 2022. Future updates will be announced on message boards along Granby Street, Norfolk City News Flashes, Nextdoor.com, and project update emails. For more information, visit www.norfolk.gov/granbybridge. Anyone wishing to join the project update email list can send a request to olga.beltsar@norfolk.gov.
Fall is almost here, and that means flu season isn’t far behind. Bon Secours is taking out the hassle to help keep the community healthy with our FREE drive-thru flu shot clinics. Anyone can drive up, get their shot and go on about their day without ever leaving the car. See attached flyer with all the details on the four clinics which will be held on October 3rd from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. while supplies last.
Public input was gathered last winter on the best way to make a connection between Naval Station Norfolk and the east end of The Tide, and HRT and its partners have been evaluating the options.
The newsletter linked below illustrates their process of narrowing the number of alternatives to be analyzed and providing more detailed analysis of options at each tier. The Tier 1 evaluation was completed recently and is included.
The City of Norfolk’s Department of Utilities will soon begin a $3 million improvement project in our neighborhood. The project area (shown below) will receive new sanitary sewer and water pipes and fully resurfaced streets.
Planned Start of Construction: Winter 2020/2021 Anticipated End of Construction: Winter 2021/2022 Contractor: Trident Civil Access: Access to businesses and residences will be maintained throughout construction.
The City and the contractor will do their best to minimize the unavoidable disruptions associated with the construction. If you have any questions regarding this project, please do not hesitate to contact the city’s on-site construction inspector, Burt Cox. He can be reached by cell phone at 837-7848 to respond quickly. You may also contact the project manager, Rick Dempsey, at 266-9760, or at richard.dempsey@norfolk.gov.
The Department of Utilities looks forward to completing this project that will enhance our water and sanitary sewer services for years to come.
Norfolk Public Schools will begin the 2020-21 school year on Tuesday, September 8th with virtual learning. NPS is providing chrome laptop computers to all students, even multiple students in one household. NPS is also providing one mifi hotspot device to families who request it. The mifi hotspot device can handle the wifi capacity for 15 devices.
Parents and guardians may contact their school principal with any quesionts. The NPS website (www.npsk12.com) is being updated with district wide information daily. There are also resources for childcare services that are being provided by community partners. Parents can also email me at amartin@nps.k12.va.us and I will direct them to the appropriate person.
Norfolk Public Schools was the first district in the region to determine our plan for the fall reopening of schools. Since this decision in July, the NPS administration and staff, under the direction of Superintendent Dr. Sharon Byrdsong, have been working around the clock to prepare and inform the community for this Fall semester. The safety of our students, teachers and staff is of utmost importance to us. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in our area, we believe beginning the school year virtually is the most responsible option. Dr. Byrdsong and her staff will continue to monitor local health conditions in consultation with the Norfolk Public Health Department and my school board colleagues to return to in-person instruction when deemed safe.
Do you know of an individual, civic league or organization that made a meaningful impact helping others during the pandemic?
The Department of Neighborhood Development’s 2020 Community U.P.L.I.F.T (Unity, Public Service, Leadership, Innovation, Friendship & Teamwork) Awards serve to recognize those who have performed an act of service that benefited the community and the residents of Norfolk in response to COVID-19. This may include individuals, civic leagues or community organizations, businesses, non-profits, or religious organizations – any individual or group that made a meaningful impact in the community to help others during the pandemic. Nominate individuals or groups that you noticed making an impact in the community to recognize their efforts!
Nominations are now open for the Department of Neighborhood Development’s Community U.P.L.I.F.T (Unity, Public Service, Leadership, Innovation, Friendship & Teamwork) Awards!
Have you experienced a loss of income due to COVID-19? If you are struggling to pay your rent, mortgage or utility bills, apply now to receive up to six months of assistance. See attached flyer for details. Visit www.nrha.us to apply. Application deadline is Sept. 13 at 8pm.
Urgent water main repairs to affect Granby Street and Little Creek Road in Wards Corner beginning this Wednesday.
The Department of Utilities has hired Bridgeman Civil to perform an urgent water main repair in Granby Street at its intersection with Little Creek Road. The project area with associated lane closures is shown on the attached map.
Start of Construction: September 2, 2020
Anticipated End of Construction: September 23, 2020
Access: All left turn lanes will be closed. Southbound traffic on Granby Street north of Little Creek Road will be detoured to E. Admiral Taussig Boulevard.
City staff will do their best to minimize the unavoidable disruptions associated with construction. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the City’s on-site construction inspector, Burt Cox, at 416-2467. You may also contact the project manager, Harry Matthews at 664-6735 or at harry.matthews@norfolk.gov.
Thank you for your patience as we work to improve the resilience of our water system. Visit www.norfolk.gov/utilities for more information.
Wards Corner Civic League 