March 27 Status Update: The Latest from York County

Recap of County Programs/Services

County Offices/Facilities/Meetings

Offices, facilities, playgrounds, and libraries are closed to the public. Staff is continuing to provide services to the community. Citizens are encouraged to visit the website - www.yorkcounty.gov - and utilize online payments, customer service requests, and more.

Building Safety staff have implemented procedures for permit submissions, construction plan review, permit issuance, and field inspections. Visit www.yorkcounty.gov/buildingsafety for details.

The Central Purchasing office staff will accept sealed Bids and Proposals that are delivered to the Finance Building, 120 Alexander Hamilton Boulevard, in Yorktown.

Commissioner of the Revenue

Citizens are asked to conduct business via telephone, email, and website. Visit www.yorkcounty.gov/revenue for contact information and the Forms portal.
A drop-box is located on the outside of the Finance Building, 120 Alexander Hamilton Boulevard, for use by citizens who need to submit forms. 

Courts

Circuit - Business is being transacted by appointment only. Please visit the website for contact information. A drop-box is placed at the Courthouse's front door security station for submitting civil and criminal paperwork and deed/and recordings. Electronic recording and online payments are available online www.ypcircuitcourt.com.

General District - For court status, call (757) 890-3450 (option 8). The Clerk's Office encourages citizens to make payments online at www.courts.state.va.us.

Juvenile and Domestic Relations District - Many cases have been continued. Please call (757) 890-3470 for information.

Fire & Life Safety

Fire stations are closed to the public for visits/tours. Individuals who show up at a station with an emergency will be provided with appropriate care.

Libraries

Both branches of the library remain closed. Please keep checked out books and materials until we reopen. Due dates have been extended and we are not charging fines.
Staff is issuing library cards electronically so that patrons can access eBooks and digital resources. Visit www.yorkcounty.gov/library or call (757) 890-5100 or (757) 890-3377. Got a question for a librarian? "Ask-A-Librarian" is available on the website.
The Library is holding a Live Stream Story Time on Facebook suited for children ages 1.5 to 6 years old. On Facebook, visit @yorkcountypubliclibrary. Visit the website for the schedule!

Office of Economic Development

The office has launched a COVID-19 Business Resource page and encouraging businesses to visit the site for helpful links and information that may be useful: https://www.yesyorkcounty.com/311/COVID-19-Business-Resources.
Staff has created a web page listing local businesses with store hours and services being offered (i.e. food delivery). Visit www.yesyorkcounty.com/openforbusiness for the listing of businesses and to add one to the list.

Local Charitable Organizations

During times of emergency, charitable organizations provide for the needs of many in the community. Consider donating your time or resources to the a charitable group, such as United Way of the Virginia Peninsula (https://www.uwvp.org/), Virginia Peninsula Food Bank (http://hrfoodbank.org/) and the American Red Cross (https://www.redcrossblood.org/), to help others in need.

Parks & Recreation

County parks are open. All playgrounds are closed.
County-sponsored events, programs, classes, and activities, including those outdoors, are cancelled.
The Senior Center of York is closed until further notice. 

Riverwalk Landing/Yorktown Beach

The beach is closed to sunbathing and swimming, including the National Park Service Beach Picnic Area and beach located west of the Coleman Bridge. The Yorktown Beach and Riverwalk Landing walkway are open for pedestrians. Rules of social distancing apply (stay six feet apart) with group size limited to no more than 10 people.
The following parking areas are closed: Upper level of Riverwalk Landing Parking Terrace, National Park Service Beach Picnic Area, Archer Cottage Lot (corner of Read and Water Streets), York Hall (301 Main Street)
The following public restroom facilities are closed: Yorktown Beach, Riverwalk Landing Parking Terrace. NOTE: The public restroom facilities adjacent to the Freight Shed are open.

Sheriff's Office

Gun Safety Class scheduled for March 31 has been cancelled.
National Drug Take Back event scheduled for April 25 has been cancelled. 

Social Media

Several York County offices maintain active Facebook accounts where information is posted regularly. Please consider "liking" or "following" these accounts to receive up-to-date information at www.facebook.com:

Social Services

A drop-box is located outside the building (301 Goodwin Neck Road) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Citizens are asked to call (757) 890-3787 to speak with an employee.
After normal hours, child protective services complaints can be made by calling 1-800-552-7096. Adult protective service complaints can be made by calling 1-855-635-4370.
Citizens wishing to apply for benefits can do so 24-hours-a-day at www.commonhelp.virginia.gov or by calling 1-855-635-4370.
If a citizen has documents necessary for benefits, please use your smart phone, table, or computer and email them to benefit.programs@yorkcounty.gov. These can also be faxed to (757) 890-4980 or placed in the drop-box during normal business hours. 

Treasurer

Citizens are asked to conduct business via telephone, email, and website. Visit www.yorkcounty.gov/treasurer for contact information.
A drop-box is located on the outside of the Finance Building, 120 Alexander Hamilton Boulevard, for use by citizens in making payments. 

Tourism Development

Historic Yorktown operations and buildings are closed until further notice. This includes Trolley service, Gallery at York Hall, York County Historical Museum, and the Freight Shed.
County-sponsored or co-sponsored events from now until the end of April are cancelled or postponed including our opening Market Days event, the French Market, and Pirate Festival. As previously announced, the National Park Service's Civil War Weekend, Victory at Yorktown 10K/5K/1Mile Family Fun Rn, and Ferrari Invasion are all cancelled.

Voter Registration

The Voter Registrar's office, like all County offices/buildings, remains closed to the public. The Voter Registrar encourages voters to register or update their address online at www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal. Individuals without access to the Internet may call (757) 890-3440 to request an application be mailed to them. Once completed, the form may be returned via mail to York County Voter Registrar, P.O. Box 451, Yorktown VA 23690. For additional details, visit www.yorkcounty.gov/voting.

Waste Management Update

The drop-off center and VPPSA Compost Facility are open.
York County's Waste Management Division has seen an increase in the amount of household trash being collected this week. Our contracted trash collection provider, Republic Services, is working later each day to ensure all collections are complete. Residents are asked to leave their containers at the curbside on their collection day until their trash is picked up.
Citizens are reminded not to flush items that cannot be flushed. This includes "flushable" wipes, hygiene products, paper towels, tissues, cat litter, fats/oils/grease, etc.

The Keep American Beautiful group, along with York County Waste Management and Beautification Committee, ask everyone to refrain from community cleanup events during this time due to the Governor's order for social distancing and the ban on groups of more than 10 people.

The Tire Recycling Event scheduled for April 18 has been cancelled.

The Shred Event scheduled in conjunction with the April 25 National Drug Take Back has been cancelled.

York-Poquoson Virginia Cooperative Extension - Master Gardener events are cancelled through the end of May, including Annual Plant Sale, Earth Day events, Library Talks, etc. For complete information, call (757) 890-4940.
 
COVID-19 Information 
 
Symptoms of COVID-19 - fever, cough, shortness of breath - have ranged from mild to severe, and like other respiratory illnesses, it is spread through coughing and sneezing. There is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease, and the CDC recommends that we take the following steps to help prevent the spread of not only this virus, but the flu and other respiratory diseases as well: