Updates & Resources from
Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge

COVID-19 VBR Landing Page 

A landing page was created as a resource for locals, partners and visitors at www.VisitVBR.com/COVID19. You will find a list of several tourism businesses with updates regarding their current status.

It features helpful tools, including:

  • Restaurants offering Take-Out & Delivery
  • Virtual Tours, Videos, & Digital Activities
  • Movies, Books, TV Shows with Local Ties
  • NEW - A Calendar of Virtual Events

A dedicated landing page for COVID-19 partner resources can be found at this link below 
www.VisitVBR.com/COVID19/PartnerResources

USTA's CARES Act Webinar Resources

After last week's passage of the CARES Act, we know that many of you have questions about what aid you qualify for and how you can apply for it. 

U.S. Travel Association hosted a webinar earlier this week to walk our members through the provisions of the CARES Act for which travel industry companies are eligible. Please see helpful resources below—all of which are also available on a CARES Act resources page—to ensure as many travel companies as possible are equipped to take advantage of the assistance available and provide guidance on how to navigate the recently passed relief package.

Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association Update 3/30/20

Governor Northam ordered Virginians to 'stay at home' in response to the increased number of COVID-19 cases in the Commonwealth. State residents will be able to leave their homes for services deemed essential such as seeking medical attention, buying groceries, banking, and more. In addition, he is asking anyone who can work from home to do so.

The Executive Order also all Virginia colleges to suspend in-person classes, closes private campgrounds for short-term stays of less than 14 days, and closes beaches except for fishing and exercise. State parks remain open for day-use only. Earlier guidance prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people and recommendations to stay 6 feet apart remain in effect.

Restaurants may remain open for takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery only. It also appears that there have not been any changes that will impact hotels at this time.

The order will be in effect until June 10, unless updated or rescinded before then. Those not in compliance can be criminally charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Read the Executive Order here.

COVID-19: Virginia's Blue Ridge Tourism Impact Survey

In an effort to gauge and support our regional tourism industry, Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge needs to better understand how COVID-19 is impacting your business. We have developed a survey in order to track the impact and may adjust a follow-up survey for additional data. 

Please complete the survey here;
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vbrimpactsurvey 

Reminder - This week is Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers Takeout Week (3/30/20 - 4/5/2020)

This effort is encouraging Virginians who are able to participate in the takeout challenge by ordering takeout, delivery, or curbside pickup from area restaurants throughout the week. 

Go to this link for a list of restaurants in Virginia's Blue Ridge.

Ironman Logo
Carilion Clinic IRONMAN 70.3 Virginia's Blue Ridge Triathlon Update

Based on the mandate from the Virginia Governor Ralph Northam in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Carilion Clinic IRONMAN 70.3 Virginia’s Blue Ridge, originally scheduled for June 7, 2020 will not take place as planned. We are working diligently on all potential options and athletes that are registered for the race will receive an email in the coming days with further details. In what has been a continually evolving and challenging time globally, we recognize that this may come as a disappointment but look forward to providing athletes with an exceptional race experience in the future.

Catherine Fox
Vice President of Public Affairs & Destination Development
cfox@visitvbr.com
(540) 342-6025 x114