/ Releases / CITY OF GULF BREEZE COVID-19 PHASE III UPDATE

City Of Gulf Breeze Covid-19 Phase Iii Update

COVID-19 Update Jan 21, 2021

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Release Date: January 21, 2021
Gulf Breeze, Florida -- January 21, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 21, 2021

The City has been operating under Phase III of its Phased Re-Opening Plan since September 30, 2020.

 As of yesterday, there were fifty-seven (57) active COVID-19 cases inside the city limits of Gulf Breeze. The City is closely monitoring the status of COVID-19 and will continue to evaluate public health guidelines to determine what actions can be taken to minimize the impact to residents and City employees.

 Active cases are reported directly from the Department of Health to City emergency services and are updated daily. Florida Dashboard statistics relate to a larger “Gulf Breeze” region.

 Executive Order 20-244, issued by Governor Ron DeSantis on September 25, 2020, suspended the ability of local governments to enforce via fines and/or penalties their mask mandates against individuals.  The Order did not nullify such mandates, however, and businesses may still be required to adhere to the requirements of local mask mandates. The City’s mask order is still in place for customer-based businesses and was extended by the City Council on Monday, January 19, 2021, through April 5, 2021.

To mitigate the continued spread of COVID-19, the City will implement provisions of its Emergency Plan Pandemic Policies to ensure continuity of city services:

 Mask Order

  • Masks are required in all customer-oriented businesses and public facilities, except as specifically excluded in the attached Resolution, which was extended by the City Council Monday, January 19, 2021.
  • Masks must be worn in all customer areas inside city facilities, except when social distancing can be maintained.
  • The City will continue to take administrative actions consistent with the City’s Pandemic Disease Plan, emergency declarations, and other emergency provisions including, which include temperature screenings.
  • Special Event Permitting
    • As of January 21, Gulf Breeze will only consider granting special event permits for those with anticipated participation of less than 50 attendees. Special events that have already been approved are excluded from this notice. This action is taken out of an abundance of caution to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect vulnerable members of our community. This only applies to events that are permitted through the city and does not include schools, churches, or other private events. Event organizers are encouraged to use their discretion, limit the size of gatherings, and follow the directions of officials from the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine if event cancellations are necessary.

    City Hall

    • City Hall remains open for essential business and public meetings; however, the public is encouraged to utilize the City’s online service options if possible.
    • City Council meetings have returned to a pre-pandemic protocol allowing for in-person attendance by the Public but will utilize spatial seating for all public meetings.  Due to the increased number of Covid-19 cases and to provide  ample space for social distancing City Council meetings will be held in the Community Center Theatre Room until further notice. The use of Communications Media Technology (CMT) to broadcast meetings has been discontinued.

    Parks and Recreation

    • Special events and tournaments, and Special Event permitting for all City-controlled public property and events requiring City services have resumed but are limited to events with less than 50 attendees.
    • Community Center normal operating hours: 7:30 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Saturday and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday.
    • Group reservations and organized fees for service programming such as Jazzercise, fitness classes, etc. have resumed; however, the Community Center will continue to operate at no more than 50% capacity. All such group programming and activities may be limited based on CDC social distancing guidance.
    • Outdoor facility rentals with reservations, playgrounds, and concessions are open.
    • Park restrooms are open.
    • The after-school program will remain suspended for the school year.

    Utility Billing

     

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