Mountaineer Country Community Resource Guide During Coronavirus

Local Support in Mountaineer Country

[Last Updated July 23, 2021.
Please note that the information below is being updated regularly but that some offers may no longer be active.]

Mountaineer Country Is Wide Open!

With all we’ve learned about preventing the spread of coronavirus, we’ve made a “Commitment to Safety.” Read and watch our pledge to protect here.

Commitment to Safety


A Message from the Visit Mountaineer Country Convention and Visitors Bureau


Local Information

Click here to view the latest news and updates around COVID-19 and statewide vaccination numbers as reported by West Virginia. 

During the coronavirus crisis, the health and well-being of our local community and our visitors is vital. Travelers to Mountaineer Country – and all destinations – should continue to observe the health recommendations of national and local public health officials, as they plan to travel, when they travel, and when they are visiting any destination. Travelers are also encouraged to check the status of any upcoming reservation, special event and operations of individual businesses before embarking on their trip.

From WV.gov
“On Sunday, June 20, 2021, Gov. Justice announced that he has signed an executive order, officially lifting West Virginia’s Statewide Indoor Face Covering Requirement for all residents, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings must still be worn where required by federal law. Additionally, any private business or school system can still require individuals to wear a face covering.”

Visit Mountaineer Country Convention & Visitors Bureau is in close contact with regional public health officials and elected officials, as well as with national travel associations, and is actively communicating to the best of our ability on this website as the situation changes.

For Restaurant Owners and Employees: find information regarding the Restaurant Act as it relates specifically to West Virginia at restaurantsact.com/west-virginia. Includes employee resources and links to information from the State Restaurant Association.


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How to Show Your Support for Mountaineer Country and Local Businesses

As we weather this unique health crisis, Mountaineer Country’s hospitality community is taking a hit. Small businesses, retail establishments, events, attractions and venues, have lost most if not all of their customers. Lodging properties are receiving cancellations daily. Restaurants have moved to curbside service, delivery, or closed entirely.

Check out our Small Business Saturday blog for a list of Mountaineer Deals Partners you can support through online shopping.

As we all work to contain the spread of coronavirus, we have ways you can continue to support our local businesses.

  • Order pickup or delivery from a Mountaineer Country restaurant. Save money with participating Mountaineer Deals partners at www.MountaineerDeals.com.
  • Buy a gift card to a Mountaineer Country business you can use in the future.
  • Show your support for shopping local with the hashtags #LiveLoveSpendLocal and #VisitMountaineerCountry. See how the Morgantown Area Partnership is helping out local businesses.
  • Leave a review for a Mountaineer Country business on Facebook and Google.
  • Donate to an organization that is helping small business owners and their employees impacted by the coronavirus.
  • Find ways to volunteer and donate your time virtually through Volunteer West Virginia.
  • Find donation opportunities for the Morgantown History Museum on their Facebook page.
  • The Morgantown Mall will be offering a Retail To-Go curbside pick-up program starting July 10, 2020. Check their Facebook for more information and updates.
  • Support local growers! The Morgantown Farmers Market will be taking pre-orders for vendors available at their markets. Visit online for information on how to pre-order.
  • Donate to the Country Roads Statewide Food Drive by United Way.
  • Donate to one of 11 food pantries organized by Food for Preston. Learn more by visiting online.
  • Find ways to support local veterans by visiting Operation Welcome Home on Facebook.

The John Chamber College of Business & Economics at WVU’s Hospitality Management Program offers assistance to hospitality businesses in the form of faculty-guided student research or class projects.
Currently, the Hospitality Program is willing to assist local hospitality small businesses during and after the COVID- 19 by providing experiential learning group projects, internships, independent study projects, and Hospitality Innovation Technology Lab projects. If you think that your business could benefit from such assistance, please submit your name and a brief description of your business support request to [email protected]. Visit Mountaineer Country will gladly connect you with our partners at the Hospitality Management Program.

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Outdoor Destinations that Offer Social Distance

Are you working from home and following CDC guidelines for social distancing, but also wondering how to stay balanced while we ride out the COVID-19 pandemic with minimal human contact? We get it! Here are some ideas to help you beat the boredom and de-stress, while also maintaining proper social distance.

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Entertaining Kids During the Coronavirus Quarantine

These kid-friendly activities are perfect for the home and guaranteed to keep the kids entertained. Find current offers below and check back regularly for updates.

Visit Mountaineer Country Coloring Pages
Click on each coloring page below for a downloadable PDF that is ready to print and color!

Coloring Page, Coopers Rock State Forest

Coopers Rock State Forest

Coloring Page, Balloons Over Morgantown

Balloons Over Morgantown

Coloring Page, Monongalia County Ballpark

Monongalia County Ballpark

Coloring Page, Mylan Park Aquatic Center

Mylan Park Aquatic Center

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Board of Education Food and Resources for Students

Find all updates regarding school guidelines online at the West Virginia Department of Education.

Find all updates regarding West Virginia University plans and school guidelines with their Return to Campus mini-site.

Monongalia County Board of Education

  • The Monongalia County Board of Education has created a website for Parent Tips and Resources with regard to the upcoming school year.

Preston County Board of Education

  • The 2021 school year will have a staggered start for all grades. Visit the Preston County Board fo Education Facebook page for more information.

Taylor County Board of Education

  • Find information on the upcoming school year by visiting online.

Marion County Board of Education

  • School systems are moving from School Re-entry to School Recovery. Find more updates and information online.

Harrison County Board of Education

  • Find information on the upcoming school year by visiting online.

Barbour County Board of Education

  • Find information on the upcoming school year by visiting online.

Doddridge County Board of Education

  • Find information on the upcoming school year by visiting online.

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Home Activities

Thanks to modern technology and rolling hills, there is still so much to do in Mountaineer Country! Find current activities below and check back regularly for updates.

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Outdoor Dining

Now that many businesses are featuring curbside pickup, contactless delivery and meals-to-go, we want to highlight Mountaineer Country restaurants that offer outdoor seating and dining. Find more information and photos in our Top Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in Mountaineer Country blog.

Before you dine, reach out to each restaurant below for more information about their service hours, guest expectations and safety guidelines.

Monongalia County (Morgantown, Star City, Granville, Westover and Sabraton). 

  • Black Bear Burritos – Head to the Evansdale location and enjoy hot food and cold drinks on the patio.
  • Buffalo Wild Wings – Covered porches, offering climate control and TVs viewable from any table, so you don’t miss a thing.
  • Chaang Thai – Overlooking High Street, the rooftop patio has been nicknamed the Thai Garden thanks to lush greenery and enchanting string lights.
  • Crab Shack Caribba – The covered patio features garage-style doors that open up to let the sunshine and cool breezes flow into the entire restaurant.
  • Morgantown Flour and Feed – Located just steps away from the Mon River Rail Trail, diners can watch runners and boats go by from their table on the outdoor deck.
  • The Green Turtle – Seated on a hilltop, the outdoor patio offers views of the surrounding skyline from every table.
  • Mountain State Brewing Company – Go above and beyond with Mountain State Brewing Company’s two-story outdoor deck.
  • Table 9 – Located in the Wharf District of Morgantown, W.Va., guests can enjoy patio seating right on top of the Monongahela River.
  • Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe – Enjoy your favorite gyro at a table for two under string lights in the Suncrest Towne Centre.
  • Terra Cafe – Grab a seat in the covered patio and have your pick from an all-natural, made-from-scratch menu.
  • Tropics – A unique Hawaiian-themed dining experience with outdoor seating under the many pavilions and private decks.

Preston County (Bruceton Mills, Kingwood, Reedsville, Rowlesburg and Terra Alta)

Taylor County (Grafton and Flemington)

  • Tygart Lake Marina – Take a break from your lake-side hike with grab-and-go meal options from Tygart Lake Marina in Grafton, W.Va.

Veterans Table Distribution Site

Operation Welcome Home has been designated as a distribution site for Veterans Table food boxes, compliments of the Mountaineer Food Bank. No income guidelines, but documentation of military service must be provided. Limit one box per month. Contact Program Manager Tyler Lane via phone or email for more information.

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Shopping

Many shops are ” wide open” and ready for you to patronize in Mountaineer Country! Per Governor Justice’s mandatory mask order, masks must be worn inside these stores.

Find a list of local businesses that have made the Mountaineer Country Commitment to Safety, a voluntary certification program for ensuring public health.

Not comfortable with shopping among others just yet? Check out some of our partners who are offering adjusted hours for at-risk individuals, curbside pickup, and delivery.

National Chains Offering Senior Shopping
National Chains and Superstores, like Walmart, Target, Big Lots, and Dollar General are offering specified hours for senior shoppers.

Sam’s Club will be hosting Hero Hours each Sunday, from 8am-10am, open exclusively to health care workers and first responders. Membership is not required.

WVU Contactless Tickets

Improved health and safety measures, contactless points of entry, added convenience and ease of flow through the gates are just some of the benefits Mountaineer football fans will experience this fall as the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will make the switch to mobile ticketing for the 2020 football season.

With this new process, Mountaineer fans can download and store their tickets to their Apple or Android device and manage their account when logging on to WVUGAME.com. Find more information online.

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Services

Many local businesses are offering advice and extended services for those having to work from home. Find current offers below and check back regularly for updates.

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Health Resources

Information about the COVID-19 Vaccine can be found online via the WV Department of Health and Human Resources.

WVU Extension Service has created this guide to sewing your own cloth face mask at home. If you are a local business or volunteer looking to donate cloth masks to support essential workers around the state, please consider reporting your mask production to the WVU Extension Mask Making Project, here.

Find tips and advice from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on how to prevent yourself from getting sick with the help of their online resources.

The West Virginia State Government has created this resource for tracking the state’s current situation. For other questions or concerns, you may have, the state encourages you to reach out to your local health department.

West Virginia-specific information

Toll-Free Hotline: 1-800-877-4304 
Website: www.coronavirus.wv.gov

Monongalia County Health Department

Website: https://www.monchd.org/
Phone: 304-598-5100
Fax: 304-598-5199
Hours of Operation: Monday-8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday-8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday-8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Thursday-8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday-8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Closed Sunday-Closed

Monongalia County Health Department WIC

Phone: 304-598-5181
Fax: 304-598-5585
Hours of Operation: The office is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. We also offer evening appointments to accommodate working families.

City of Morgantown

Website: https://www.morgantownwv.gov/557/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Response

Preston County Health Department

Website: http://www.prestoncountyhealthdepartment.com/contact.html
Phone: 304-329-0096
Fax: 304-329-3103
Hours of Operation: Monday-8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday-8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wednesday-8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thursday-8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Friday-8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday-Closed Sunday-Closed

Grafton-Taylor County Health Department

Website: https://www.gtchdwv.org/
Phone: 304-265-1288
Hours of Operation: The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:o0 a.m.- 4:o0 p.m.

Marion County Health Department

Website: http://www.marioncountywv.com/departments/health_department/index.php
Phone: 304-366-3360

Harrison County Health Department

Website: http://hchealthdepartment.org/
Phone: 304-623-9308

Barbour County Health Department

Website: https://barbourhealthwv.com/
Phone: 304-457-1670

West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services

Website: https://dhhr.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Phone: 304-558-0684

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel to Mountaineer Country?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has consistently advised the public to practice every-day preventative measures to help stop the spread of germs, as typical in the current flu and respiratory disease season.

As of January, 7 2021: Travelers are not required to self-quarantine or be quarantined under legal order. However, individuals arriving in West Virginia from other states or countries, including returning West Virginia residents, are strongly encouraged to follow the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ Guidance for Vacation Travel.

Are there any closures of note for visitors to Mountaineer Country, such as attractions, hotels, restaurants or meeting venues?

Some Mountaineer Country businesses are closing temporarily due to slow activity as a result of concerns of the coronavirus. Visit Mountaineer Country CVB is working hard to maintain current information about popular attractions, museums, tours, restaurants and hotels on our website. Please check individual websites and social channels to confirm operating hours. For event cancellations or rescheduling, please go to https://www.visitmountaineercountry.com/events/ for the most up-to-date information.

Public officials recommend visiting open businesses with the COVID-19 health recommendations in mind: washing your hands; refraining from touching your face; and staying home if you’re sick, among others.

All West Virginia Welcome Centers are open, however, the centers are not staffed with anyone other than maintenance.

WV Welcome Centers are open 8:00am to 6:00pm and located on:

  • I-64 Eastbound White Sulphur Springs
  • I-64 Eastbound Huntington
  • I-70 Westbound Wheeling
  • I-77 Northbound and Southbound Williamstown
  • I-79 Southbound Morgantown
  • I-81 Southbound Falling Waters
  • I-81 Northbound Inwood
  • I-68 Westbound Hazleton

What actions are the Morgantown Municipal Airport, and the North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport, taking to ensure the safety of passengers and guests?

Morgantown Municipal Airport (MGW) and North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB) coordinate closely with county health agencies, the CDC, and other federal partners to ensure the safety and health of passengers. At this time, the CDC has not identified MGW or CKB as an airport that will conduct additional checkpoint screenings and operations are not anticipated to be impacted pending new developments.

Information from Southern Airways:

  • Despite the COVID-19 situation, commercial flights to/from Morgantown Airport to Pittsburgh and Baltimore/Washington are continuing to operate on their full regular daily schedule.
  • Special cleaning, social distancing and other precautions are in place at the airport and in-flight to protect the health and well-being of travelers.
  • Southern and all commercial flights are considered “essential,”and not subject to local and state “shelter in place” restrictions.

What actions is West Virginia University taking?

The University strongly recommends all students and employees be vaccinated for COVID-19.

As of July, 2021, educational opportunities will operate in-person and at full capacity, consistent with pre-pandemic levels.

The University will follow a regular academic calendar, grading scale and attendance policies.

The fall semester begins Wednesday, Aug. 18. View the full 2021-22 Academic Calendar.

Visit https://coronavirus.wvu.edu/ for more.

What actions is Mylan Park taking?

The staff at Mylan Park have been monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and continually assessing local and state guidance to appropriately respond for the safety of our community. Find updates and information by visiting online.

Where can I go with urgent questions related to COVID-19?


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