Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Planned City of Roanoke Reopening Dates

COVIDwise app

Use your phone to fight COVID-19!

After you download COVIDWISE on your iPhone or Android, follow the app instructions to turn on your Exposure Notifications. This allows you to be notified if you’ve likely been exposed. 

Virginia-Department-of-Health-VDH LogoCenter for Disease Control Logo   

Since the arrival of Coronavirus COVID-19 in the United States, the City of Roanoke has been monitoring the situation and working closely with our partners at the Virginia Department of Health(VDH). Information can be found by clicking here or visiting: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus (this information is updated daily)

VDH has a local COVID-19 hotline serving the City of Roanoke, Alleghany and Central Shenandoah Health District. Call 1-855-949-8378 for information. They also invite those without a PCP to contact their local health district. The Roanoke City Health District is (540) 283-5050.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is also updating information as it becomes available. For more information, click here or visit: https://www.cdc.gov/

Virginia also has a resource located at: https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus-updates/

For information on the use of cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID19, click here.

Scams - Unfortunately the "bad guys" never take a break even during the current situation surrounding the virus COVID-19. There are several new "scams" circulating the internet and these are not just limited to email, there are phone scams happening as well. So please make sure to take even more precautions when opening emails, answering phone calls, or even clicking on links that say they will provide information regarding the COVID-19 situation. Please make sure to only visit trusted websites/links and never share your personal information.

City Response to Coronavirus (updated July 2, 2020)

Out of an abundance of caution for public health, the City of Roanoke is urging residents and visitors to educate themselves regarding Coronavirus COVID-19 and to practice social distancing.  The City of Roanoke is working closely with our neighboring jurisdictions, the CDC, the Virginia Department of Health, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, local partners and local health officials to compile the most accurate and up-to-date information.  A website has been established at www.roanokeva.gov/coronavirus.  There you can find links to the most up-to-date information regarding the virus. There are also web pages available for employees, businesses and a page for community resources. 

On Monday, July 6, 2020,  the City of Roanoke will begin the next phase of the limited reopening of municipal facilities to the public.  in accordance with its re-opening plan, as follows: The Municipal Building will be open to the general public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Citizens who need to visit offices in person—other than the Treasurer’s Office and Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office—are strongly encouraged to contact the office in advance and make an appointment, to minimize delays and frustrations. When citizens come inside the building, they will be required to wear a face covering; one will be provided if needed. Hand sanitizer will also be available.  For more information, click here or scroll down for departmental information. 
For the full reopening plan, click here. 


  1. Department of Human & Social Services
  2. Treasurer & Commissioner of the Revenue
  3. Public  Safety
  4. Solid Waste
  5. Libraries
  6. Parks & Rec
  7. Planning, Building & Development
  8. Berglund Center
  9. RCACP

Social-Services

The Department of Social Services Office at 1510 Williamson Road NE will reopen July 6 on a limited basis for the general public 8:30 am to 4 pm. We are still able to provide most of our services via phone, e-mail, on the web or with a drop box and you are encouraged to use these if you are able.  Once you arrive at our 3rd floor entrance, you will notice some changes designed to keep you and our employees safe.   

  • When entering, you must wear a face covering.  If you need a mask, one will be provided for you.
  •  Our staff will be wearing face covering or will be serving behind a barrier.   
  • Hand sanitizing stations are available at the entrance to our lobby.  Floor markings and signs are posted to provide reminders for physical distancing. 
  • Customers who are able to conduct business with the department by phone or online should continue to do so in order to protect the public and our staff.  There can be no more than 10 people in the lobby area waiting to be queued for service. Customers who are able to conduct business with the department by phone or online will be provided written instructions and will not be permitted into the lobby.
  • Tables will be positioned at our entrance to establish a checkpoint to determine if customers who enter have an appointment with a worker or if a customer is only able to be served in person.
  • Verifications, forms, and requests for follow up telephone contact should be submitted by mail, electronic communication, or left in the department drop box located just off the elevator on the 3rd floor at 1510 Williamson Road NE between 8 am and 5 pm.
  • You may apply for benefits online at https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/, by phone at 1-855-635-4370, or for Medical Assistance only at 1-855-242-8282 (TDD: 1-888-221-1590).
  • For replacement EBT card, you may call 1-866-281-2448 to have the card mailed to you by the EBT vendor.  To have the card mailed to you from the department’s issuance office, please contact your worker.
  •  Citizens may reach staff by contacting their worker via e-mail or by phone.  If you do not know your worker’s name, you may call the agency switchboard at 853-2591.
  •  Child Protective Service and Adult Protective Services referrals can be made by calling our hotline at 853-2245.

La oficina del departamento de servicios sociales que está situado en 1510 en la calle Williamson abrirá al público en una base limitada el 6 de julio, a las 8 y media de la mañana hasta el 4 de la tarde. Todavía podemos proveer la mayoría de nuestros servicios por teléfono, correo electrónico, el internet, o con un buzón en el vestíbulo de la oficina de servicios sociales. Debe usar estas maneras si puede. Cuando llega a la entrada en el tercer piso, va a ver unos cambios para asegurar la seguridad de usted y nuestros empleados.

  • Cuando entra en la oficina, debe llevar una cubierta de cara. Si necesita una máscara, una le será dado.
  • Nuestros empleados llevarán unas cubiertas de cara o estarán situados detrás de una obstrucción.
  • Estaciones de gel antiséptico están disponibles en nuestro vestíbulo. Unas marcas en el piso y sígnales proveen avisos para el distanciamiento físico.  
  • Los clientes que pueden conducir los negocios con el departamento por teléfono o en el internet, deben hacerlo para proteger la pública y nuestros empleados. No más que 10 personas pueden estar en el vestíbulo para esperar servicio. Los clientes que pueden conducir los negocios con el departamento por teléfono o el internet recibirán instrucciones escritas y no se les permitidos en el vestíbulo.
  • Hay mesas en la entrada para crear un puesto de control para determinar si los clientes que entran tienen una cita con un trabajador o si los clientes solo pueden recibir servicio en persona.
  • Las verificaciones, formas, y solicitudes para contacto por teléfono deben ser mandadas por correo, correo electrónico, o quedadas en el buzón del departamento, situado en 1510 de la calle Williamson, en el tercer piso, entre las horas de 8 de la mañana y 5 de la tarde.  
  • Puede aplicar por los beneficios por el internet en el sitio commonhelp.virginia.gov, o por teléfono en el número 1-855-635-4370, o solo por la asistencia medical en el número 1-855-242-8282 (TDD: 1-888-221-1590).
  • Para una tarjeta repuesta de EBT, puede llamar el número 1-866-281-2448 para recibir la tarjeta por correo del comerciante de EBT. Para recibir la tarjeta por correo del departamento, por favor llame su trabajador.  
  • Los ciudadanos pueden contactar los empleados del departamento por teléfono o correo electrónico. Si no sabe el nombre de tu trabajador, puede llamar la centralita de la agencia en el número 853-2591.
  • Para hacer las referencias de los servicios de la protección infantil y los servicios de la protección adulta, llame la línea directa en el número 853-2245.

Governments Declare Local Emergencies.

  1. Coronavirus 2020 Joint Media Release - Declaration of Emergency

State Courts in Roanoke, Roanoke Co. & Salem remain open but will reduce operations & restrict access to courthouses pending further order.

  1. Courts Release - effective 3/17/2020, all state courts in Roanoke City, Roanoke Co. & Salem are to remain open but will reduce operations

COVID-19 Law Enforcement Reference

  1. COVID19 Law Enforcement Reference.pdf

A Message from PARK Roanoke

  1. Park Roanoke Update 3-19-2020.pdf

Calm the Fear

  1. E166-Calm-Fear-Coronavirus-1.pdf

Welcoming America has provided us with COVID-19 Fact Sheets in various languages:

#welcomingroanoke

Welcoming Roanoke Logo

COVID19 Fact Sheets in Different Languages

  1. Corona Virus Videos in Multiple Languages.pdf
  2. 2019-ncov-factsheet_AMHARIC.pdf
  3. 2019 covid Hmong.pdf
  4. 2019 covid info Bengali sheet.pdf
  5. 2019 covid info Hindi fact sheet.pdf
  6. 2019-ncov Greek info sheet.pdf
  7. 2019-ncov Italian poster.pdf
  8. 2019-ncov-factsheet Korean.pdf
  9. 2019-ncov-factsheet_BURMESE.pdf
  10. 2019-ncov-factsheet_Japanese.pdf
  11. 2019-ncov-factsheet_KAREN.pdf
  12. 2019-ncov-factsheet_NEPALI.pdf
  13. 2019-ncov-factsheet_Punjabi info sheet.pdf
  14. 2019-ncov-factsheet_TIGRINYA.pdf
  15. 2019-ncov-factsheet_VIETNAMESE.pdf
  16. 2019-ncov-factsheet-chinese.pdf
  17. 2019-ncov-factsheet-spanish1.pdf
  18. 2019-ncov-FAQ-Cambodian.pdf
  19. 2019-ncov-French info sheet.pdf
  20. French stop-the-spread-of-germs poster 3.11.2020 (1).pdf
  21. KAREN_CDC_TCHD_sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet_KAREN.pdf
  22. Karen_CDC_TCHD_stop-the-spread-of-germs_KAREN.pdf
  23. Pashto stop-the-spread-of-germs 3.11.2020.pdf
  24. portuguese stop-the-spread-of-germs 3.11.2020 (1).pdf
  25. portuguese stop-the-spread-of-germs 3.11.2020 .pdf
  26. Ukrainian - Stop-the-spread-of-germs 3.11.2020 .pdf
  27. Urdu stop-the-spread-of-germs poster 3.11.2020.pdf
  28. Vietnamese_CDC_TCHD_sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet_VIETNAMESE.pdf
  29. Vietnamese_CDC_TCHD_stop-the-spread-of-germs_VIETNAMESE.pdf
  1. Amharic_CDC_TCHD_sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet_AMHARIC.pdf
  2. Arabic stop-the-spread-of-germs poster 3.11.2020.pdf
  3. Amharic_CDC_TCHD_stop-the-spread-of-germs_AMHARIC.pdf
  4. Burmese_CDC_TCHD_sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet_BURMESE.pdf
  5. Chinese_CDC_TCHD_sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet-Chinese.pdf
  6. Farsi stop-the-spread-of-germs poster 3.11.2020 (1).pdf
  7. Farsi stop-the-spread-of-germs poster 3.11.2020 .pdf
  8. 2019-ncov-Haitian Creole info sheet.pdf
  9. 2019-ncov-poster_Hebrew.pdf
  10. 2019-ncov-Hindi info sheet.pdf
  11. 2019-ncov-Khmer info sheet.pdf
  12. Kinyarwanda stop-the-spread-of-germs 3.11.2020 .pdf
  13. Korean CDC_TCHD_sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet Korean.pdf
  14. Korean_CDC_TCHD_stop-the-spread-of-germs Korean (1).pdf
  15. Nepali_CDC_TCHD_sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet_NEPALI.pdf
  16. Nepali_CDC_TCHD_stop-the-spread-of-germs Nepali re.pdf
  17. 2019-ncov-poster_Polish.pdf
  18. 2019-ncov-Russian info sheet.pdf
  19. Swahili stop-the-spread-of-germs poster 3.11.2020.pdf
  20. 2019-ncov-Tagalog info sheet.pdf
  21. 2019-ncov-Thai info sheet.pdf
  22. Tigrinya_CDC_TCHD_sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet_TIGRINYA.pdf
  23. Tigrinya_CDC_TCHD_stop-the-spread-of-germs_TIGRINYA.pdf

During Social Isolation, you might wonder what can I still do? Do I have to stay inside of my home 24/7? Maybe not.... Medical experts say fresh air and exercise are important for your physical and mental health, but use caution! Here are some frequently asked questions that will help you determine what is safe for your family to do during this time.  For the entire story from USA Today, click here

Can I go to a park?

YES! It’s important to get outside but remember to go to parks that offer enough space for social distancing.  You can bike, hike, fish or jog but avoid doing these activities with groups.  Contact activities such as frisbee, football or other sports should only be played with immediate family members.  You can also virtually visit some of our National Parks by clicking here.

What about playgrounds? 

It’s not recommended to use playgrounds during social distancing.  Coronavirus can live on playground equipment.

Are beaches safe? 

It’s not so much the water that’s unsafe but the crowds that are usually at the beach.  It’s not likely that coronavirus is spread through ocean water, but only go to beaches with smaller crowd keeping a safe distance from others.

A neighborhood walk? 

YES! Take your children or dogs for a walk around the block is safe in more suburban areas.  Just keep a safe distance from others.  

Some other great ideas......

REMINDER: Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Patients have experienced mild to severe respiratory illness.  Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath (symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.)  If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms or are having an emergency, please call 9-1-1 and answer all questions as prompted. 

TIPS TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick. 
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw tissue in the trash.
  • There have been a few cases of COVID-19 showing up in cats.  For ACCURATE information, visit the CDC's website by clicking here. 

The City will provide updates as they become available via social media and online at www.roanokeva.gov/coronavirus.   For specific questions, email: communityengagement@roanokeva.gov

Corona infographic-symptoms
Corona Virus stop-the-spread-of-germs