For Immediate Release, 4/3/2020
Pinellas County extends local state of emergency, expands on local orders
Due to COVID-19, County will require non-essential businesses to close through April 30
Pinellas County Government has advised 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 of COVID-19. All others can leave home only to obtain essential services or perform essential activities. Pinellas County Government also decided that the best way to implement these requirements and keep the public safe is to require the temporary closure of non-essential businesses and require social distancing compliance 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 business, operations and organizations continuing to operate pursuant to the governor’s order 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.
Citizens 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. City of Gulfport parks, including dog parks and the tennis courts, will remain open. All fitness areas, playgrounds, beach pavilions, Casino boat dock, volleyball courts, and the municipal beach, including public beach parking, remain closed. The Municipal Marina’s boat ramp and William’s Pier will also remain open. The County is requiring that community pools remain closed.
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