Citywide Public Health Emergency Extended Through Aug. 21

Sarasota, FL:  The City of Sarasota has extended its declaration of a local citywide public health emergency through Aug. 21 following a weekly review, as required by the City Charter, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The emergency order issued Friday by City Manager Tom Barwin, in consultation with Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch and City Attorney Robert Fournier, also permits the Newtown Farmers Market to reopen Friday, Aug. 21, and Saturday, Aug. 22, as well as each Friday and Saturday thereafter, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention safety guidelines will be followed, and all patrons, vendors and other attendees must wear face coverings.

The market is held at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, 2523 Cocoanut Ave.

Friday’s emergency order also authorizes the City’s Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Board to meet virtually at 5 p.m. Aug. 20. Future meetings may be conducted as provided by subsequent emergency orders.

Face coverings are now required in all indoor and outdoor public spaces in the City limits, whenever proper social distancing cannot be maintained in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The temporary regulation, which took effect July 1, will be in place for 60 days.

A list of Frequently Asked Questions about the face mask requirement is available at www.SarasotaFL.gov. For questions, comments or code compliance concerns regarding masks, email mandatory.mask@sarasotaFL.gov. Do not call 911 or law enforcement dispatch. City code compliance staff will initially enforce the ordinance and issue civil citations only when necessary, with a primary focus on education and encouragement.

The City has distributed more than 40,000 complimentary paper and cloth face masks to residents, visitors and businesses, with more available. If you or someone you know needs a free mask, emailmandatory.mask@sarasotaFL.gov.

City buildings are open to the public by appointment only, and City business can be conducted either online via www.SarasotaFL.gov or by phone at 941-263-6000.

Additional resources

A state-run, walk-up COVID-19 testing site is available at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34^th St., every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until daily testing capacity is reached. Testing is open to everyone, regardless of residency or symptoms, and no appointments are necessary. The site will be temporarily closed Tuesday, Aug. 18, to accommodate Primary Day voting.

A Sarasota-specific call center for questions and concerns about COVID-19 is now available through the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County:  941-861-2883. Subject matter experts are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The most current, official information on COVID-19 in Florida can be found atwww.FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19.  A 24/7 hotline is also available:  1-866-779-6121.