News Flash

April 9, 2020 – The Hampton Coliseum has announced that the 2020 Hampton Jazz Festival has been postponed until June, 2021 because of concerns about the coronavirus. Coliseum officials said "refunds will be available at the point of purchase. For tickets purchased online through Ticketmaster, refunds will be issued automatically. Tickets purchased at the box office will need to be returned to the box offie when it reopens to the public. Previously purchased tickets will not be honored for the 2021 dates. Also:

• Fort Monroe: Access to Fort Monroe is being is restricted and certain outdoor services canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some sections and roads managed by the National Park Service have been closed to the public. Access along Fenwick Road north of Stillwell Avenue within the Fort Monroe National Monument is closed to motorists, but remains open to bicyclists and pedestrians. Only walking or exercise is allowed on beaches, all basketball courts and playgrounds are closed, the fishing piers at Engineer Wharf and Finger Pier are closed, and all public programs and tours through June 10 are canceled. Also:
• Hampton Human Services: Residents who need help through the city’s Human Services (Social Services) office  should call 757-727-1800, or visit www.hampton.gov/humanservices.
• Elections: The governor has asked the General Assembly to delay the May 5 election until November. A decision from the Assembly is expected later this month. The governor has also postponed the June 9 primary for two weeks.
• Commissioner of the Revenue and Treasurer’s Office: Both offices 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.
• Emergency Management Office: Officials said FEMA is extending the grace period to renew flood insurance policies from 30 to 120 days. To avoid a lapse in coverage, there is typically a 30-day grace period to renew National Flood Insurance Program policies. This extension will allow additional time for policyholders who may be struggling financially to pay insurance premiums and ensure their policies are not cancelled for nonpayment of premium due to circumstances beyond their control. More information.
• Community Development Department: The city 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. The city is no longer issuing yard sale permits.
• Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services Department: All Parks buildings and are closed, as well as playgrounds, volleyball courts and basketball courts. Hampton’s skate park on Woodland Road is also closed.
• Beaches: City beaches are closed for swimming and sunbathing, but open for walking. Hampton’s 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) to break up groups of more than 10.
• Public Works: The department is seeing an increase in non-flushable items in wastewater lines and pump stations. All personal protective equipment related toCOVID-19, including rubber gloves, masks and wipes should not be flushed down toilets. These items should be placed in trash bags, securely tied and placed in your refuse container for proper disposal.  Public Works continues to make regular trash and recycling pickup, stormwater inspections and other activities.
• Library: Electronic books are still available through the library at www.hampton.gov/library
• Hampton History Museum: The 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.
• Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter:  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: The agency has reduce bus 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.
• Joint Base Langley-Eustis: A public health emergency has been declared for all of Joint Base Langley-Eustis. This declaration allows greater access to health care resources, and broader authority to limit access onto the installation, and restrict the movement of residents.

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
• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security: https://www.ready.gov/pandemic