News Flash

June 3, 2020 – The governor announced on June 2 that most of Virginia can begin Phase II reopening starting Friday, June 5. That means many businesses, including restaurants and gyms, can resume operating in a limited capacity. Read details of the plan on the governor’s website. Most city buildings remain closed to the public, and most public events have been canceled because of concerns about the coronavirus. City employees, however, continue to serve residents:

• Restaurants: Starting Friday, June 5, restaurants may resume indoor dining, along with previously allowed takeout and pickup services. The eateries may operate at no more than 50% capacity. Currently, outdoor seating is allowed for restaurants that are set up for it, at least at half capacity. The city has closed parts of Queens Way to allow restaurants in that area to acquire temporary outdoor seating permits. Restaurateurs without such a permit would need to fill out a short application form. Restaurants that desire to serve alcohol outdoors would need to have a separate permit from Virginia ABC. More information.
• The Hampton Coliseum: The 2020 Hampton Jazz Festival is 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 office when it reopens to the public. Previously purchased tickets will not be honored for the 2021 dates.
• Hampton public pier downtown: The downtown pier is open on a limited bases. Arriving boats can stay up to two nights. Boaters are reminded to practice social distancing by staying 6 feet away from each other.
• Healthy Families: Healthy Families To Go is a new way for you to get the latest, up-to-date information about parenting, family relationships and more – online. You can get information on what it’s like to be a new parent, the challenges of being a military family, the importance of having healthy self-esteem, and how blended families can work together to become one. Healthy Families To Go includes videos and recorded seminars.
• 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. Starting May 29, the public beach at Fort Monroe is open to walking, exercise and recreational activities as long as safety procedures are followed. 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..
• 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: Beginning Friday, May 29, the city is opening its two golf courses, The Hamptons and The Woodlands, as well as the clay-court Hampton Tennis Center. All facilities will open in a modified way that includes maintaining social distancing by not operating at full capacity. More information. All other Parks buildings are closed, as well as playgrounds, volleyball courts and basketball courts. Hampton’s skate park on Woodland Road is also closed.
• Beaches: Starting May 29, all city beaches are open for swimming, sunbathing and walking. The beaches will be monitored by beach ambassadors to make sure safety measures are followed. 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 6 feet away from each other.
• Public Works: The department is seeing an increase in non-flushable items in wastewater lines and pump stations. All personal protective equipment related to COVID-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: Hampton’s four libraries  have begun online and phone ordering of materials for curbside pickup. Library customers can go online to browse items and request books or other materials. From the library home page, click on Library Catalogs on the left side. You can search the collection for a title or author, or you can follow links for popular materials in different genres and for different ages. (You also can call the library and request books). For more information and the location of city libraries, go online.
• 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:  The shelter is no longer requiring appointments for adoptions and is observing normal operating hours.
• Hampton Roads Transit: The agency has reduced 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 about COVID-19 from:

• The Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
• The Virginia Health Department: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus