Pinellas County Outlines What's Reopened And What Remains Closed

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — With the opening of public beaches and some restaurants on Monday, Pinellas County is slowly getting back to normal after closures during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the Pinellas County Commission isn't quite ready to throw open the gates.

On Tuesday, the commission extended its coronavirus local state of emergency to May 15 in keeping with Gov. Ron DeSantis' executive order. This means the stay-at-home order remains in effect. Residents should remain home unless they need to go out for groceries, doctor's appointments or other essential errands as well as leave their homes to enjoy some time outdoors.

The commission will monitor coronavirus trends during this initial reopening phase to determine if it has a drastic impact on the coronavirus rates in the county.

Commissioners are also ramping up testing in all parts of the county, encouraging the use of face masks in public places and continuing to restrict visitors at long-term care facilities.

The county allowed the conditional reopening of shared pools and child care facility playgrounds last Thursday and opened county-owned public beaches with social distancing requirements on Monday. The reopening includes beach parking and restroom facilities.

Some municipal beaches have not reopened due to the lack of personnel to enforce the social distancing guidelines.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 2020-112, which went into effect Monday, allows for the limited resumption of some nonessential businesses including restaurants, doctor and dental offices and health care clinics.

Restaurants are allowed to reopen with full outdoor seating. Indoor seating will be allowed at 25 percent of the building's capacity.

On-site sale and retail businesses will be allowed to operate at 25 percent occupancy but should continue social distancing and sanitation measures.

Bars, breweries, nightclubs and gyms will remain closed during DeSantis' Phase 1 reopening plan. DeSantis said the next phase of openings will take place after the state has analyzed the impact of this week's reopenings on the spread of the coronavirus.

DeSantis is also continuing to ban the presence of spectators at sporting events.

While DeSantis said personal care services such as barbershops, hair salons, nail salons and massage therapy clinics should remain closed because of the necessity of close contact with customers, the portions of those businesses with on-site retail sales may reopen at 25 percent building occupancy.

As previously approved by DeSantis, churches, synagogues and other places of worship may host religious services provided they following social distancing and sanitation guidelines.

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Although hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts can open while heeding sanitation and limited capacity directives, the ban against vacation rentals remains in effect.

Child care centers may open as long as they follow proper social distancing protocols. The Florida Department of Education has asked child care centers to give priority to the children of medical professionals and first responders who must work during the pandemic.

Museums and libraries can open at 25 percent of their building occupancy. Interactive shared exhibits, like children's play areas, remain closed.

Some Pinellas County museums and libraries, however, are remaining closed while staff works out details about how to maintain the coronavirus guidelines.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office took video from its helicopter showing residents flocking to the beaches this week.

Some State Parks Reopen

Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection reopened about 80 state parks this week for recreational activities only. Restrictions include limited capacity and limited hours (8 a.m. to sunset.)

Visitors will be asked to practice proper social distancing, limit group sizes to 10 or less and stay 6 feet apart. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers will be on hand to enforce the guidelines.

Permitted recreational activities include walking, jogging, swimming and fishing. No sunbathing, chairs, canopies or coolers are allowed in beach areas at this time. Restrooms and trash cans will be available but all other park facilities will remain closed.

The state has listed the parks that will reopen as of May 4 on its website.

The list includes Honeymoon Island State Park, Anclote Key Preserve State Park and Egmont Key State Park.

Funding Assistance

The Pinellas County Commission also appropriated funds from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund to support the Pinellas CARES Financial Assistance Emergency Medical Services Fund to support coronavirus healthcare-related expenses.pinellas cares>

The county received $170 million as part of the CARES Act stimulus. Funds will help support some small businesses and qualifying individuals struggling to pay rent, utilities and other expenses from lost income due to the coronavirus. Since launching the Pinellas CARES Small Business Grants program Monday, more than 1,500 businesses have submitted applications online.

The county anticipates having enough funds for all eligible businesses, which must have 25 or fewer employees, operate in a commercial location within the county and meet other criteria. Applicants are encouraged to check all qualifications and ensure their application has all the required documents before submitting it for the fastest response. Full program details can be found here.pinellas cares>

A separate county program targeted to assist Pinellas County low-income individuals and families who need emergency help paying rent or utilities is also available. Details about Pinellas CARES Financial Assistance can be found here.pinellas cares>

For other coronavirus-related questions, visit the county's website.
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