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SPOTLIGHT ON THIS IS FINE COFFEE
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES
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FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED
ARLINGTON ENTERS PHASE 2
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Spotlight on This is Fine Coffee
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What do you get when you mix a cinematographer with a journalist? What you’d least expect is a coffee shop, but that’s just what Jason Blevins and Anya Tsybko have done in Courthouse. The couple has opened a local cafe that somewhat pays homage to one of Arlington’s oldest coffee shops —Java Shack which closed in 2019. They use the same roasters and all of their baristas are former Java Shack employees, Jason included!
They’re also set on making This Is Fine Coffee a local community haven, not just another chain coffee shop. In Jason’s words, “we take coffee seriously, but we’re not coffee snobs.” At This Is Fine you’ll find a micro cinema, local artwork, poetry, and board games. Clearly, they want you to stay awhile and make this café your new community hangout.
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WMATA
Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld accepted a recommendation of the transit authority's Pandemic Task Force that face coverings or masks be required when traveling on Metrobus and Metrorail effective Monday, May 18. Metro is open for essential travel only, and the public is encouraged to stay at home whenever possible, in accordance with current executive orders and guidance in effect throughout the region.
For essential travelers, the Metrorail system is open from 5:00 am until 9:00 pm on weekdays, and 8:00 am until 9:00 pm. on Saturdays and Sundays. Bus service on selected routes is provided daily until 11:00 pm.
ART - Arlington Transit
For your safety and the safety of others, all passengers are required to wear face masks or face coverings while using ART.
To help slow the spread of the coronavirus, ART is operating reduced bus service, implementing rear-boarding, and suspending fares. Arlington Transit encourages social distancing on all buses and asks that riders use ART for essential travel only. ART and STAR services will be monitored daily and may be subject to change in response to the latest conditions.
Capital Bikeshare
Capital Bikeshare is offering a program to give essential workers free bikeshare memberships. Through June 30, eligible essential workers can sign up through their employer to access unlimited 30-minute trips. Reach out to herobikes@lyft.com if you are a first responder, healthcare worker, food retail or transit employer and want to participate in the program.
In addition, any user of Capital Bikeshare can purchase $1 Single Trip passes for essential trips, in both the Capital Bikeshare and Lyft apps, through June 30, 2020.
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Governor Ralph Northam signed Executive Order Sixty-Three, requiring Virginians to wear face coverings in public indoor settings to help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
A face covering includes anything that covers your nose and mouth, such as a mask, scarf, or bandana. Medical-grade masks and personal protective equipment should be reserved for health care professionals. Under the Governor’s executive order, any person age ten and older must wear a mask or face covering at all times while entering, exiting, traveling through, and spending time in various public settings, including train stations, bus stations, and on intrastate public transportation, including in waiting or congregating areas. Metro, Arlington Transit, VRE and DASH all require customers to wear a face cloth while traveling. For a complete list of the public settings which require a mask, please visit the Forward Virginia webpage.
You can learn how to make a face cloth at home with Board Member Libby Garvey and read these important facts about how to wash your cloth facemask from the CDC website.
We Are Covered: Arlington’s Unified Approach to Face Coverings
 “We Are Covered” is how businesses, faith communities and multi-family residences across Arlington are safely welcoming their workers, residents, members and customers back to in-person activities. A “We Are Covered” certified business or residence has pledged to protect people who come through their doors by actively participating in this important face covering requirement.
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Arlington Enters Phase 2 of Forward Virginia
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Arlington County, along with other localities in Northern Virginia, will transition to Phase 2 of the Forward Virginia plan today, Friday, June 12.
Highlights of the Governor’s Forward Virginia Phase 2 – Effective June 12
- Maximum number of individuals permitted in a social gathering will increase from 10 to 50 people
- Restaurant and beverage establishments may offer indoor dining at 50 percent occupancy with at least six feet of spacing between tables, among other strict requirements.
- Gyms and fitness centers may open indoor areas at 30 percent occupancy with at least 10 feet of spacing between individuals, and certain recreation and entertainment venues without shared equipment may open with restrictions.
- Swimming pools may expand operations to both indoor and outdoor exercise, diving, and swim instruction.
- Farmers markets may operate as long as six feet of separation can be maintained between guests (including between tables and persons on public sidewalks).
- Non-essential retail may operate at 50 percent occupancy load.
- Personal care and personal grooming services may operate at 50% occupancy load by appointment only, with no more than two clients per service provider.
- The current guidelines for religious services, non-essential retail, and personal grooming services will largely remain the same in Phase 2.
- Indoor sporting venues, performing arts venues, concert venues, movie theaters, bowling and overnight summer camps are among the businesses that must remain closed to the public in Phase 2.
View more specific guidelines for all these sectors and others on the Forward Virginia website. Also see additional FAQs on the state website.
Information about Arlington’s Temporary Outdoor Seating Area Permit for restaurant, bars and cafes
On May 26, the Arlington County Board approved an administrative process to allow temporary outdoor seating areas beyond those already permitted. Temporary Outdoor Seating Areas are newly created or expanded exterior spaces at restaurants, bars, or cafés where food and/or beverages may be served to up to 50% of the restaurant’s occupancy capacity. These temporary spaces will assist businesses with serving more customers while complying with mandatory requirements of the Governor’s reopening plan: Forward Virginia – Phase Two. Learn about the application process.
Volunteer opportunities in Arlington
Now more than ever, your support can make a difference for your fellow Arlingtonians in need. Volunteer Arlington has plenty of opportunities for you to help others during these trying times. Whether you want to donate, volunteer your time or help organize, Volunteer Arlington has put together an up-to-date list of nonprofits in need of help. Please visit their website to learn more.
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