Dear Jack,

I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy during these difficult times. I'll be sending weekly Bulletins so that you have all the latest updates you need.

School Reopening Updates

On Tuesday, Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Williams recommended to the School Board that LCPS start the 2020-2021 school year as 100% distance learning, with limited exceptions, and to implement the hybrid model in phases. You can read Dr. Williams' statement here. The School Board approved the plan 7-2.

Loudoun County Public Schools and Prince William County Public Schools are now both starting the year with a full distance learning strategy. Many people have contacted my office with strong opinions on what to do about school in the fall, and I want you to know that we are always listening to you and taking your opinions into account. In the end, both school systems felt that they could not yet reopen for in-person instruction in a way that adequately protected students, teachers, and staff. I know this is a hardship on a lot of working families, and my office and I are always here to help with anything you might need during these hard times.

Increase in Cases

Recently, there has been a sharp increase in COVID cases in many states, including Florida, Texas, and California. Virginia has not seen such a sharp increase; however, our numbers are still rising, particularly in Hampton Roads. The Governor and his staff have been monitoring the numbers over the weekend, and are considering moving us back into a different reopening phase if the numbers call for it. The best thing we can do to protect ourselves and our neighbors is to wear a mask, and practice social distancing.

Prince William COVID-19 Testing

There will be several free testing locations in Prince William County next week.

Monday, July 27th

Woodbridge Senior Center

Start Time: 8:30am

13850 Church Hill Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22191

Metz Middle School

Start Time 1:30 PM

9950 Wellington Road

Manassas, Virginia 20110

Splashdown Water Park

Start Time: 5:30pm

7500 Ben Lomond Park Rd

Manassas, VA 20109

Tuesday, July 28th

James S. Long Park

Start Time: 8:30am

4603 James Madison Highway

Haymarket, VA 

Cloverdale Park

Start Time: 1:30pm

15150 Cloverdale Rd

Dale City, VA 22193

Wednesday, July 29th

Dumfries-Triangle Rescue Squad Facility

Start Time: 1:30pm

18321 Jefferson Davis Highway

Triangle, VA 22172

Metz Middle School

Start Time 5:30 PM

9950 Wellington Road

Manassas, Virginia 20110

Coronavirus Numbers (7/26)

As always, please reach out to my office if you need any assistance. My Senate email address is [email protected] and my in-district phone number is (571) 367-9080. I hope you and your family are able to stay safe and healthy during these challenging times.

Sincerely,

Senator John J. Bell