May 29, 2020
3:15 p.m.
Citywide public health emergency extended through June 5
The City of Sarasota has extended its declaration of a local citywide public health emergency through June 5 following a weekly review, as required by the City Charter, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The emergency order issued Friday by City Manager Tom Barwin, in consultation with Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch and City Attorney Robert Fournier, also extends the experimental street closures that began last weekend in order to help local restaurants and retail establishments impacted by COVID-19.

Partial street closures will be in effect from 3 p.m. to midnight this Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, on the following downtown streets:

  • 1300 block of Main Street (Palm Avenue to Mira Mar Court)
  • State Street from the State Street Garage to Lemon Avenue
  • Lemon Avenue from Main Street to the alley just north of State Street
 
The street closures are expected to be in effect each Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to midnight, possibly through June.

Friday’s emergency order also strongly urges the public to wear protective masks when leaving home, including in common areas of condominium and apartment buildings, and to acquire protective masks if they have not already.
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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

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:

Arlington Park Aquatic Complex, Bird Key Park parking lot, Lido Beach, tennis courts, boat ramps, fishing piers, dog parks and outdoor spaces are 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:

Park facilities and amenities, including playgrounds and basketball courts, are closed.

All shows at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall are canceled through June 15. 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
941-263-6417

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.