Citywide Public Health Emergency Extended Through Sept. 4

Sarasota, FL:  The City of Sarasota has extended its declaration of a local citywide public health emergency through Sept. 4 following a weekly review, as required by the City Charter, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The emergency order was issued Friday by City Manager Tom Barwin, in consultation with Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch and City Attorney Robert Fournier. The order extends the City’s temporary street closure program through September in order to allow additional space for outdoor dining and help restaurants and retailers severely impacted by the pandemic. A partial closure of Lemon Avenue, from Main Street to State Street, is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. 

Friday’s order also allows the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Board to resume its regular meeting schedule beginning Sept. 17 and permits the Code Compliance Special Magistrate to resume a regular schedule of conducting contested hearings regarding notices of violations issued for red light infractions.

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 face covering is in effect through Oct. 28.

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, email mandatory.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

Rental assistance will be available for residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the Office of Housing and Community Development, a joint office of the City of Sarasota and Sarasota County. Applications will be available beginning Sept. 8.

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.

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 at www.FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19.  A 24/7 hotline is also available:  1-866-779-6121.

For more information, contact Jason Bartolone, Communications Specialist:  941-928-3988.