Here's What You Can And Can't Do Under Pinellas' Coronavirus Order

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Responding to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ statewide “Stay-at-Home” order aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday issued an order closing all nonessential businesses through the end of the month.

The board renewed the Local State of Emergency declaration for another seven days, along with the county’s previous orders.

The board also gave the county administrator authority to order businesses that do not follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for social distancing to close.

During the meeting, the board also gave chair Pat Gerard and County Administrator Barry A. Burton the ability to continue extending the local state of emergency and associated orders where necessary without having to convene an emergency BCC meeting. The county and state orders go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday and will be in effect as long as there is a declared Local State of Emergency.

What It Means

This means the closure of public beaches and beach parking areas is extended through April 10.

Under the state’s new order, senior citizens and people with significant underlying health conditions must stay home and take all measures to limit their risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

All others can leave home only to obtain essential services or perform essential activities. The board decided that the best way to implement these requirements and keep the public safe is to require the temporary closure of nonessential businesses and require social distancing by businesses considered essential under the state order. To accomplish that, the county issued an executive order mandating:

• Retail businesses, operations or organizations not included in the category of essential services or activities listed in the governor’s order must close.
• All businesses, operations and organizations continuing to operate must comply with CDC guidelines for social distancing and hazard mitigation.
• The county administrator is empowered to issue orders to close businesses that are not in compliance.

Residents who do not fall into the high-risk category may still get exercise outdoors, including walking, biking, fishing and swimming, provided they adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Pinellas County Parks and Preserves will remain open, except for Sand Key Park, Fort De Soto Park and the education centers at Weedon Island Preserve and Brooker Creek Preserve.

Boat ramps will also remain open, including the ramp at Fort De Soto Park.

The county is requiring that community pools remain closed.

Individuals not included in the coronavirus high-risk category can go to:

• Essential businesses
• • Visit relatives who need help or care
• • Open parks and outdoor recreational areas
• • Golf courses
• • Boat ramps and marinas (boats must stay 50 feet apart per Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission orders)

Essential Businesses Versus Nonessential

Nonessential businesses must close by midnight Friday. They include any businesses not exempted in the governor’s order.

Essential businesses and services will continue to operate. They include those served by: first responders, health care workers, law enforcement officers, grocery store employees, agriculture workers, bank employees, gas station and auto repair workers, construction workers, postal workers, those who work in vital infrastructure industries, and those who work in manufacturing facilities that support critical supply chains. Restaurants and food establishments may continue delivery, carryout and curbside service.

Public Gatherings Including Religious Services

Public gatherings should be limited to essential purposes and must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Groups must contain 10 or fewer people and stay 6 feet apart, including those gathering in churches and other places of worship.