News Flash Home
The original item was published from 8/27/2020 7:11:57 PM to 11/1/2020 12:00:11 AM.

News Flash

* City News Alerts *

Posted on: August 27, 2020

[ARCHIVED] Special event cessation remains in effect; Most gatherings of fifty or more individuals prohibited

Charlottesville

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2020

The City of Charlottesville has supported the community’s right to peaceably assemble, however obstructing city streets and using parks without the proper permits will no longer be allowed


STATEMENT FROM CITY MANAGER TARRON RICHARDSON


CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- As the potential spread of COVID-19 continues to threaten the health and safety of Charlottesville, the City’s March 12, 2020 decision to cease issuing special event permits remains in effect.

Further, the Charlottesville City Council enacted an ordinance on July 27, 2020 which prohibits gatherings of 50 or more individuals within the City of Charlottesville with limited exceptions. A violation of the ordinance is punishable as a Class 3 Misdemeanor or Class 4 Misdemeanor and can result in a fine of up to $500. Any gathering of 50 or more individuals within the City of Charlottesville is subject to the ordinance’s provisions including potential criminal charges. Additionally, Governor Ralph S. Northam’s Executive Order 67 remains in effect which prohibits gatherings of 250 or more individuals.

Violations of the COVID-19 ordinance and any events that block City streets have a direct impact on service delivery and can endanger the health and safety of the community. Unauthorized closures of City streets can delay responses for emergency vehicles and require rerouting to an emergency incident, the hospital, or other critical infrastructure when seconds matter. Additionally positioning one’s self in a lane of travel/traffic without proper protection is putting oneself potentially in grave danger.

Over the last three months, large crowds gathered in both Washington Park and Market Street Park. These gatherings have obstructed nearby public streets and intersections. While the City of Charlottesville has supported the community’s right to peaceably assemble, obstructing city streets and using parks without the proper permits will no longer be allowed. These non-permitted events come at considerable cost to the City of Charlottesville, particularly during the COVID crisis when resources are already strained. Citations will be issued by the City Manager to the event organizers who used the parks and organized these events without a special event permit. Moving forward, those who commit violations of state law and/or City ordinance, such as obstructing or blocking traffic, COVID restrictions, or any other violation will be charged accordingly.

A gathering advertised to occur on August 28, 2020 is not sanctioned by the City of Charlottesville and no special event permits have been approved for the use of City parks or other public property on this date. As noted above, most gatherings of 50 or more people are prohibited under the City Council’s COVID-19 ordinance.

The well-being of our City relies on the commitment of every community member to the safety of our fellow residents.

Media Contact
Brian Wheeler
Director of Communications
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3129
wheelerb@charlottesville.gov

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in * City News Alerts *

USDA-SFSP-Logo-2-1

“A World Class City”

Posted on: June 5, 2023
tax time

Taxes Due Monday, June 5, 2023

Posted on: May 30, 2023
Green City Logo

Charlottesville DMV Select Services

Posted on: January 4, 2023
City Seal on brown background

Community Resources for Financial Relief

Posted on: November 1, 2022