VDH lists some guidelines for voting during the time of Covid -19

The Virginia Department of Elections encourages voters to consider alternative options for voting in the
November 2020 elections. In general, the more closely people interact with each other and the longer that
interaction lasts, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. The best way to avoid becoming infected is to avoid
being exposed to the virus altogether. This is particularly important for people at higher risk of severe
illness from COVID-19. There are many options for voting this year that can reduce your interaction with other
people, including absentee or early voting. Consider the recommendations below when you are making a plan to
vote this year. More recommendations about safer voting can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) website.
Tips for Voting During the COVID-19 Pandemic

1. Make a plan: visit the Department of Elections website for more information on options
   for voting in Virginia.
2. Wear a cloth face covering/mask, if you are able, at all times while voting.
3. Exercise proper social distancingby maintaining at least 6 feet
   of separation from other voters and poll workers.
   a. Consider staying more than 6 feet away from people who are not wearing cloth face coverings.
4. Practice good hygiene.
   a. Do not use physical greetings, such as handshaking.
   b. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water before and after voting. If
   soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer to clean your hands.
   c. Avoid touching your face and face covering.
5. 
   Individuals under isolation or quarantine during Election Day are strongly encouraged to vote absentee in order to comply with isolation/quarantine and reduce risk to others. If absentee deadlines have been missed, there is an option to pursue emergency absentee voting:
6. You may cast an emergency absentee ballot if you were unable to meet the “vote by mail” application
   deadline for any of the following reasons (Va. Code § 24.2-705):
   a. Your hospitalization or illness;
   b. The hospitalization, illness, or death of a spouse, child, or parent; or
   c. Other emergency found to justify receipt of an emergency absentee ballot
7. Requirements for emergency absentee voting:
   a. You may request to vote emergency absentee at any time prior to 2:00 pm on the day preceding the
   election
   b. If you are approved for an emergency ballot, your general registrar shall provide the absentee ballot
   to your designated representative for delivery to you
   c. You shall mark the ballot in the presence of your designated representative (all parties should be
   masked and maintain distancing)
   d. The ballot shall be counted only if the ballot is received by the general registrar prior to the close of
   polls.

submitted by Kristin Adkins, for Roanoke City-Alleghany Health District