Limiting Sidewalk Gatherings to Limit the Spread of Coronavirus

Pedestrians in Arlington County, Virginia can be fined for gathering on sidewalks in groups larger than three.

2 minute read

August 7, 2020, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Arlington County, Virginia

A Clarendon sidewalk scene in the before times. | Rob Crandall / Shutterstock

While many cities have expanded the capacity of restaurants and retail businesses to operate in the public realm on sidewalks, streets, and parking spaces, Arlington County, Virginia is trying to limit the size of crowds on sidewalks. 

The Arlington County Board recently approved "an emergency ordinance banning groups larger than three from congregating on streets and sidewalks when there are posted restrictions," reports Hannah Schuster. "Pedestrians must stay at least six feet apart in these areas." 

"Anyone who violates the rule could face a fine of up to $100, though enforcement will only begin 'after a period of outreach and education,' and after signs explaining the policy are posted," according to Schuster. 

The county board approved the new law the same night as social media images revealed large crowds of people gathering on a sidewalk in Clarendon, a wealthy neighborhood in the county, as shared by Tom Lynch, NBC Washington reporter, on Twitter.

The news about the new ordinance banning sidewalk gatherings is embedded about halfway through Schuster's coverage of COVID-19 trends in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland.

Sunday, August 2, 2020 in DCist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Looking out at trees on 4th Street in downtown Los Angeles, California.

LA’s Tree Emergency Goes Beyond Vandalism

After a vandal destroyed dozens of downtown LA trees, Mayor Karen Bass vowed to replace them. Days later, she slashed the city’s tree budget.

6 hours ago - Torched

White and blue Sacramento regional transit bus with one bike on front bike rack.

Sacramento Leads Nation With Bus-Mounted Bike Lane Enforcement Cameras

The city is the first to use its bus-mounted traffic enforcement system to cite drivers who park or drive in bike lanes.

6 hours ago - Streetsblog California

View of downtown Seattle with Space Needle and mountains in background

Seattle Voters Approve Social Housing Referendum

Voters approved a corporate tax to fund the city’s housing authority despite an opposition campaign funded by Amazon and Microsoft.

April 23 - Next City