City Of Boca Raton Declares State Of Emergency

From the City of Boca Raton:

March 17, 2020

EMERGENCY DECLARATION

On Monday, March 16, 2020, the City of Boca Raton declared a Local State of Emergency due to the threat of COVID-19 and is implementing additional closures and safety measures in order to slow the spread of the virus.

EFFECTIVE TODAY AT 5:00 PM - ALL BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS ARE REQUIRED TO CLOSE FOR 30 DAYS. RESTAURANTS ARE REQUIRED TO CLOSE EXCEPT FOR DRIVE THROUGH, TAKE-OUT AND DELIVERY SERVICES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

CLOSURES

On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, all City facilities, parks and beaches will be CLOSED until further notice including the following:

• All Beaches
• Alan C. Alford Golf Course at Red Reef
• Bark Beach at Spanish River Park
• Boca Raton Community Center
• Boca Raton Municipal Golf Course
• Boca Raton Tennis Center
• City Administration Building “Building Department”
• City Hall
• Downtown Library
• Fire Rescue Administration Building
• Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
• Hillsboro El Rio Park North and South
• Meadows Park Pool
• Mizner Bark Dog Park
• Mizner Park Amphitheater
• Municipal Services Building
• Ocean Rescue Center/Coast Guard Auxiliary
• Patch Reef Park Community Center and Tennis Center
• Police Department Lobby
• Silver Palm Park
• Spanish River Athletic Complex
• Spanish River Library
• Sugar Sand Park
• Swim & Racquet Club
• Wildflower Park

*Today, Tuesday, March 17 is Election Day and all of the Boca Raton Community Centers and libraries are designated polling locations. Libraries and community centers will be closed on Wednesday, March 18 until further notice.

MEETINGS

All meetings have been canceled until further notice, including the CRA, Council Workshop and City Council Meetings on March 23 and March 24, 2020.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES

The City will be operating Critical Infrastructure services only:

• Police Services
• Fire Rescue Services
• Water Sewer
• Sanitation Services (Regular Schedules)
• Building Permitting
• Inspections

PANDEMIC PLAN SAFETY MEASURES ISSUED

For Boca Raton Businesses and the Public

• All bars and nightclubs are required to close at 5:00 pm today, March 17, and remain closed for the next 30 days.
• Restaurants are required to close today except for drive through, take-out and delivery services until further notice.
• Avoid social gatherings of 10 or more people.
• Practice social distancing - 6 feet apart from others.
• Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips and social visits.
• Work from home whenever possible.
• Critical Infrastructure industry employees should maintain normal work schedule.
• Do not visit nursing homes, retirement or long-term facilities.
• Practice good hygiene.
• Stay home if you’re sick.
• Wash your hands and don’t touch your face.

COMMUNICATION

The Citizen’s Information Center (CIC) will open Wednesday, March 18 from 8am - 5pm and is available for residents to talk with City staff regarding any concerns, questions or information. The CIC can be reached at 561-982-4900.

Additionally, residents can stay updated on City information and alerts on the following platforms:

• City’s website
• Social Media - Facebook, Twitter & Nextdoor
• Nixle

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CANCELED EVENTS

The City has a list of current closures and cancellations that is continuously updated at www.myboca.us.

We understand these are unprecedented measures, and we appreciate the efforts by those who have already led by example. We will be providing additional information as stages of our Pandemic Plan go into effect.

March 16, 2020 - 5:45pm

In light of new CDC guidelines, people should do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

• Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
• Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.
• If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.
• Avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts -- use drive-thru, pickup or delivery options.
• Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips and social visits.
• DO NOT VISIT nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
• Practice good hygiene:
  • Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
  • Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.

New closures include...

• Gumbo Limbo Nature Center will close tomorrow, March 17, until further notice.

See the list of facilities now closed.

March 15, 2020 - 6:16pm

Boca Raton residents, please take a few minutes to listen to a very important message from Mayor Scott Singer about social distancing and how our community can lead by example.

Sugar Sand Park playground has been added to the list of facilities now closed.

March 14, 2020

As we all recognize, there should be no large social gatherings and we should be practicing social distancing. However, gatherings and crowds also exist in other places, like stores and restaurants. Know how to protect yourself in a crowd.

• Florida Health - COVID-19: Protect Yourself in Gatherings & Crowds (PDF)

March 13, 2020

The City has added more facilities and services to the list of Canceled & Postponed mass gatherings, City events and program. The Police Department has temporarily suspended citizen fingerprinting at the main police department and mall annex until further notice, and beginning Saturday, March 14, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center’s indoor facilities will be closed. Aquariums, grounds and outdoor areas remain open to the public.

To learn more about City information, community mitigation efforts and reliable resources, view the City of Boca Raton Community Mitigation Strategies for COVID-19 newsletter that was sent out today. Topics covered include:

• Steps the City is taking in our organization and our community
• Doing business with the City online
• How to protect yourself
• Reporting price gouging
• Election Day polling changes
• Additional resources and staying connected...

March 12, 2020

In an abundance of caution, all special events, performances, programs, classes, athletics, clinics, rentals, camps and meetings have been postponed or canceled through April 30th, 2020.

• View a list of CANCELED & POSTPONED mass gatherings, City events and programs.
• Save a trip to City Hall: Utilize online City services

*For the most recent updates, please visit Florida Department of Health (FDOH) or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

March 11, 2020

The City of Boca Raton is coordinating with all our community partners while closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation for our area. Our City staff is continuously assessing and adapting emergency plans for COVID-19.

The City is making determinations about mass assemblies including concerts and large events. If, and when we decide to cancel any events, we will use all our communication tools to inform the public. In the meantime, according to the CDC guidelines, people who are considered to have a higher risk should take extra precautions to reduce their risk. Currently, those individuals include:

• Older adults
• People who have underlying health conditions

If you are in a high risk category, this may be the time to evaluate your exposure and take all precautions necessary to reduce your chances of getting sick. Be sure to avoid close contact with people who are sick, take everyday precautions like washing your hands and disinfecting your home, avoid large crowds, especially in poorly ventilated areas and take extra measures to put distance between yourself and other people to further reduce your exposure to the virus.

For more information, on who is at risk and how to prepare, visit the CDC.

March 10, 2020

The City is being proactive and following CDC and FDOH recommendations and guidelines in preparation for potential cases of COVID-19. While our City is functioning as normal, we are working hard to ensure emergency plans are in place. As recommended by the CDC, we are asking all residents to take the following preventative actions:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based sanitizer with 60% alcohol if soap is not readily available.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

As recommended by the FDOH, if you think you may have COVID-19 or are showing any symptoms, please call your doctor or local hospital before you go in. For any questions or concerns you may have regarding COVID-19, FDOH has a call center available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-866-779-6121 or email at COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

For up to date information, please visit FDOH or CDC.

March 9, 2020

Last week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a public health emergency designating the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) as the lead state agency to coordinate an emergency response. In an abundance of caution, the Governor declared a Public Health Emergency allowing the State Health Officer to take any action necessary to protect the public health of its citizens.

Things to know:

• The FDOH is your point of contact for any questions or concerns regarding COVID-19.
• The FDOH now has a call center available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1 (866) 779-6121 or email at COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

Visit the city’s website for more resources from the FDOH and CDC.

Feb. 26, 2020

As a large employer and a provider of public programs, services and facilities, the City of Boca Raton is monitoring the messaging and information about COVID-19 from the Florida Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is COVID-19?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an emerging disease and there is more to learn about its transmissibility and severity, but the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Those with cardiopulmonary disease, weakened immune systems, infants, and older adults have an increased risk. Symptoms may include fever, cough and shortness of breath which can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia.

For information, situation updates and the latest news on COVID-19, visit the Florida Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Additional information and resources

For more information, visit our Coronavirus COVID-19 webpage.

Related Topics

• Emergency Management
• Emergency Messaging

This press release was produced by the City of Boca Raton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.