April 22, 2020
2:15 p.m.
Lido Beach to remain temporarily closed
Lido Beach will remain closed while City of Sarasota officials continue to monitor local COVID-19 testing results during the public health emergency.

The City also will review the action taken by the Sarasota County Commission today to allow limited access to other county beaches.

"I know this is has been hard for everybody, but our recovery needs to be smart, well thought out and sustainable," said City Manager Tom Barwin. " National medical experts have advised that lifting restrictions on social gatherings should only be considered following two weeks of no increases, and preferably declines, in new COVID-19 cases. We are not experiencing that in the north end of the county. The number of positive cases located within five zip codes in the city limits continues to rise."

City officials will evaluate the situation on a daily basis and remain hopeful restrictions may be lessened in early May , following the anticipated peak of COVID-19 cases in Sarasota County.
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All Faiths Food Bank
941-379-6333
Meals On Wheels
941-366-6693
Senior Friendship Centers
941-955-2122
United Way
Call: 2-1-1 or Text zip code to 893211

Resources for small business owners and employees impacted by COVID-19:




Project Resurrection Survey (Sarasota Chamber of Commerce)

Sarasota County Health Department:
941-861-2883 (Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

Florida Department of Health
1-866-779-6121 (24 hours/7 days a week)
Open:

Fishing piers, dog parks and outdoor spaces remain open to the public. Proper social distancing, as directed by the CDC, must be followed with no gatherings of 10 people or more.

The Sarasota Police Department is providing public safety services around the clock and will respond to emergency calls as usual. For other non-emergency calls, Chief DiPino has instituted a temporary Telephone Reporting Unit that will be operated by a sworn officer daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Closed:

Lido Beach, boat ramps, Bird Key Park parking lot, parks facilities and amenities, including playgrounds, basketball courts and tennis courts, are closed.

All shows at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall are canceled through May 3. Staff are working diligently to reschedule shows. Visit www.VanWezel.org for updates.

All City of Sarasota buildings are closed to the public. Most operations and services are continuing with staff working remotely and a limited number of employees on-site.

To conduct business with the City, please send inquiries via email . Contacts and email addresses are available on www.SarasotaFL.Gov . Or call: 941-263-6000 .

City buildings are closed to the public. Please request services online at www.SarasotaFL.Gov or via the following phone numbers:
Building Permits
941-263-6455

City Commission Office
941-263-6412

City Manager Office
941-263-6402

Code Compliance
941-954-4125

Development Services
 941-263-6449

Economic Development
941-263-6280
Parking Division
941-263-6475

Parks & Recreation
941-263-6758

Sarasota Police - Front Desk
941-263-6025

Solid Waste/Garbage Collection
941-263-6170

Van Wezel - Box Office
941-263-6799

Water Billing
941-263-6260; 941-263-6261
For questions regarding Sarasota County services including SCAT, please contact the Sarasota County Contact Center: 941-861-5000.