Norfolk District restricting access to facilities to help prevent spread of COVID-19

Published March 13, 2020
Updated: March 13, 2020

NORFOLK Va. – In order to help limit the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is restricting access to its properties to Corps personnel only.

The visitor’s center at Gathright Dam in Covington, Virginia; and the Waterfield Building, to include Old Fort Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, will not be accepting outside visitors until the threat of spreading the COVID-19 virus subsides.

The district is also canceling Oyster gardening activities at it’s Waterfield Building and bird watching activities at the Craney Island Dredged Material Management Facility in Portsmouth, Virginia, until further notice.

“The health and safety of our District employees is of the utmost importance to us, and as our employees are members of the Hampton Roads communities and others across the commonwealth, we are adhering to public health official guidance to practice social distancing during this global pandemic,” said Col. Patrick Kinsman, Norfolk District commander.

The district will continue to monitor reporting by the Centers for Disease Control and will adjust access to the properties once health officials deem the threat of spreading the COVID-19 virus has diminished.

Construction activities on District projects throughout the commonwealth and other functions, including regulatory activities, will continue.

Norfolk District provides innovative engineering solutions, in collaboration with partners, to deliver water resources, military, interagency, environmental and disaster-response programs that make communities, the commonwealth of Virginia and nation a better place to work and live.