Certain St. Pete Restrictions Lifted, Including Beach: Commission

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Pinellas County Commissioners voted on May 28 to remove social distancing at Pinellas County beaches along with lifting other coronavirus restrictions that exceed state rules. It extended its local state of emergency to June 5, but lifted pool, playground and beach restrictions.

The commissioners approved:

• Effective immediately, social distancing at beaches have been removed.
• As of 3 p.m. on May 28, hotel and motel pools can operate at full maximum load capacity.
• Home Owners Association, apartment, condominium and other pool operators may resume full capacity starting June 1.
• Effective immediately, childcare facility playgrounds may resume their regular capacity.
• As of June 1, public playgrounds will reopen.
• The commissioners extended the application deadline for the Pinellas CARES program for individual financial assistance and small business grants to June 30.

"I am a local foster mother and I know we’ve chatted amongst ourselves locally, and we conclude that many won’t head out if a playground looks to be a little crowded," said Tricia Rafeedie. "You'll find people wiping down equipment, or even in masks for awhile—socially distancing and skipping over parks with too much congestion, but we’re excited to have another option to take the children - it’s the simple freedom to say no, I’d rather not go to the playground yet, but it feels good to know when a family is ready- it’s there."

Signage reminding beach visitors to practice social distancing remain at the beaches, and everyone who goes to beaches, playgrounds and swimming pools are asked to to practice the safety health guidelines advised by the Center for Disease Control. They encourage caregivers with children visiting playgrounds to have hand sanitizer available and hand sanitizing wipes. Encouragement to continue wearing face masks while in public and practice social distancing remains unchanged.