COVID-19 FAQs

Each of our facilities will continue check-in procedures for members of the public at different facilities and locations. COVID-screening questions and temperature scans may be part of the check-in process for visitors.

Yes. If a visitor answers ‘yes’ to experiencing new or worsening COVID symptoms without an alternative diagnosis or has been asked to quarantine or been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, they will be asked to leave the facility.

For facilities that conduct temperature checks, visitors will be denied access if their temperature is above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, unless specifically authorized by staff for critical services. If the visitor believes their temperature scan may have been high due to recent physical exertion, the visitor may wait a reasonable period of time to cool off and be rescanned.

Effective Thursday, March 3, 2022, masks are optional for the public and most employees while inside Arlington County government facilities, as long as the County is in a "low" COVID-19 Community Level, per the CDC.

This updated guidance from CDC and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) applies to visitors and most County employees, including contractors and volunteers.

People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

Know Your COVID-19 Community Level

• Low Community Level - Wear a mask based on your personal preference and your level of risk of developing severe illness.
• Medium Community Level - If you have a weakened immune system or at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about additional precautions, such as wearing masks or respirators indoors in public.
• High Community Level - CDC recommends that you wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk (including in K-12 schools and other community settings).

Masks may be required by some localities, local businesses, medical settings, and other settings. Follow any applicable rules or ordinances.

While no longer required, CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.

Situations where you should always wear a mask:

• If you have symptoms of COVID-19
• If you are in the 10 days after a COVID-19 diagnosis and around other people | CDC Isolation Calculator
• If you are in the 10 days after an exposure to someone with COVID-19 and are around other people

People may choose to mask at any time.

APS will continue following the CDC’s guidance for operating safely to allow everyone—students, families, staff and visitors—to decide whether they will wear a mask at school and on the school bus. This change takes effect March 1, and there is no opt-out form required. More information is available on the APS website.

Participants in County sponsored events and classes should follow CDC recommendations, which are the minimum isolation recommendations and precautions for the general population. If someone continues to experience COVID symptoms or is feeling sick, we encourage you to stay home until your symptoms resolve. To limit the spread of COVID-19, follow these steps if you have symptoms, if you test positive, or if you had close contact with someone who is sick.

NOTE: You may need to follow additional COVID-19 policies and guidance from County programs and facilities, employer, school, nursing home and/or daycare settings.

Please follow CDC recommendations, which are the minimum isolation recommendations and precautions for the general population. Stay home if you are feeling sick and/or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. 

 NOTE: You may need to follow additional COVID-19 policies and guidance from County programs and facilities, employer, school, nursing home and/or daycare settings.

Please visit the APS Health and Safety Information FAQ webpage for details.

The guidance from CDC and Virginia Department of Health serves as recommendations to childcare providers and centers in Arlington to reduce COVID-19 spread. Each childcare provider must decide which recommendations or combination of recommendations to implement based on the needs of their customers and employees, and their organization's purpose. Arlington County Public Health Division continues to encourage the use of multiple layered strategies. Each childcare organization must determine within their resources and authority how to deliver their services to their customers/clients and achieve expected control and prevention of germ spread (including COVID-19).