News Flash

March 27, 2020 -While all of Hampton’s public buildings remain closed until further notice,  city residents can still make tax payments and conduct other business with Hampton online or by telephone. Police officers, firefighters and other city employees are practicing social distancing when possible, but all emergency services are still available. In some cases documents and paperwork may be submitted to the city in dropboxes at City Hall, 22 Lincoln St., and the Ruppert Sargent building, 1 Franklin St., but will be quarantined for a period of time to ensure they are safe to handle.

• Residents who need help through the city’s Human Services (Social Services) office  should call 757-727-1800, or visit www.hampton.gov/humanservices.
• Anyone can vote absentee for the May 5 local elections. See https://hampton.gov/263/Voter-Registrar for more information..
•  Hampton’s Commissioner of the Revenue and Treasurer’s Office have begun accepting tax payments by phone, and the city is waiving the $1 fee for online transactions with the Treasurer’s Office. For more details on doing business with them, visit www.hampton.gov/revenue or www.hampton.gov/treasurer.
• Hampton’s Community Development Department continues to accept online permit and inspection requests, and the city is developing plans to let residents use a dropbox outside of City Hall for the submission of other documents and applications.
• All Parks buildings and are closed, as well as playgrounds, volleyball courts and basketball courts.  
• City beaches and outside parks continue to be open and available to those who want to go walking. Residents are reminded to practice social distancing by staying six feet away from each other. Staff will periodically monitor the city’s beaches (Buckroe, Grandview, Salt Ponds, Fort Monroe) and Woodlands Skate Park to break up groups of more than 10.

• The Public Works Department continues with regular trash and recycling pickup, stormwater inspections and other regular activities.

• Electronic books are still available through the library at www.hampton.gov/library

• The Hampton History Museum is closed, but its online archive is open. Explore the collections, including maps and surveys from the Chambers Collection, images from the Cheyne Studio Collection, and a wealth of photos and materials donated by individuals over the years. There are a variety of ways to search, and even an interactive map to browse collections relating to sites, structures, cemeteries, and waterways, or by neighborhood district or areas outside Hampton.
• The Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter will remain open normal business hours for adoptions, owner surrenders, stray drop offs and reclaims through March 29, limiting the number of guests entering the building to 5. You can view adoptable pets online. Starting Monday, March 30, adoptions will be by appointment only. The shelter will remain open for owner reclaims and intake daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Hampton Roads Transit has reduce routes as demand has dropped. The goal is to operate reduced services but still support connectivity to medical facilities, major employers, and other locations for essential trips while ensuring there are no significant geographic gaps in the system. The plan is designed for people who must travel to reach their destinations, but HRT is encouraging all citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and practice social distancing. Paratransit services continue. Keep up with the new schedule.

 If you have a question about a city service that’s not answered here please call the departments listed on www.hampton.gov or call the Citizen Contact Center at 757-727-8311. 

You can get more information from:

• The Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
• The Virginia Health Department: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus
• Hampton City Schools: http://www.hampton.k12.va.us/index.html
• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security: https://www.ready.gov/pandemic