April 8, 2020 Updates

Emergency Directive 20-05 Additional PM April 2020

Emergency Directive 20-04 April 2020.Airport Screenings

The State of Florida Issues COVID-19 Updates

GOV. DESANTIS ORDERS STATEWIDE “SAFER AT HOME” ORDER

MONROE COUNTY – Today, Gov. DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-91, which places the entire state of Florida under the “Safer at Home” initiative. This order, which has been implemented in Monroe, Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties since Monday, March 30, states that all persons within the state of Florida shall limit the time spent outside their home to only essential activities.

This order still allows people to take care of pets and engage in outdoor recreational activities, as long as social distancing is observed. Senior citizens and individuals with a significant underlying medical condition shall stay at home and take all measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Any business capable of providing delivery, or curb-side service is encouraged to do so.

Monroe County and municipalities are closely reviewing the order. For any questions regarding essential versus non-essential, refer to the order.

Click Here to read the Governor’s Executive Order “Safer At Home” Issued April 1, 2020

Monroe County COVID-19 Information

 

Monroe County The Florida Keys

 NEWS RELEASE

March 29, 2020, 11:30 a.m.

 

Kristen Livengood, Public Information Officer

305-680-8226, Livengood-Kristen@monroecounty-fl.gov

 

PARTNERSHIPS WILL CONTINUE CHECKPOINTS INTO THE FLORIDA KEYS

 

MONROE COUNTY – Monroe County, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and the municipalities have partnered to continue to operate the 24-hour southbound traffic checkpoints at mile marker 112.5 on the 18-Mile Stretch (U.S. 1), and on Card Sound Road (905) to reinforce Monroe County’s closure to visitors and non-residents. Due to heightened concerns of COVID-19, only residents, property owners, and those actively involved in work in the Florida Keys will be admitted, including fuel tankers, delivery and grocery trucks.

 

According to Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, 788 cars were turned around in the first 48 hours, and an estimated 2,000 people. Before the checkpoint started on Friday morning, the Florida Department of Transportation traffic counters were about 47-49 percent of average traffic flow for this time of year. Since the checkpoint was enacted, the traffic counters are at 23-26 percent of the average traffic flow for this time of year.

 

Proof of residency can be demonstrated with a resident reentry sticker, or a hard copy of local identification, utility bill, deed, lease or tax bill. Those actively engaged in work in the Florida Keys, such as construction workers, will need to show a hard copy of a letter from their employer, employee identification, a paystub, or current construction contract in the Keys. First responders, healthcare workers and military actively engaged in work in the Keys will need physical ID as well.

 

Residents who wish to pick up a re-entry sticker can do so at any Florida Keys fire station nearest to their residence any day between 1 and 5 p.m. Residents will need to bring proof of Monroe County residency to include local identification, utility bill, deed, lease or tax bill and the registration of the car that will need a sticker. Please knock on the door and show the proof at the window and then move to the parking lot. The fire fighter will put on personal protective gear and walk the sticker to you, which may take a few minutes. Please do not come if you are feeling sick for the protection of our first responders.

 

Remember that delays are possible at checkpoints and officials advise not to call 911 with non-emergency questions about U.S. 1. Go to www.monroecountyem.com/covid-19 for more information about Monroe County’s response to COVID-19. Monroe County Emergency Management information hotline at 800-955-5504 is also operational all week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

-30-

 

ANDY NEWMAN/Florida Keys News Bureau

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office directs cars at the 18-Mile Stretch checkpoint on Saturday. The checkpoints will be operational 24 hours a day until further notice.

 

Kristen Livengood

Public Information Officer, Monroe County

Email: Livengood-Kristen@monroecounty-fl.gov

Phone/Text: 305-680-8226

 

Website: monroecounty-fl.gov

Facebook: fb.com/monroecountybocc

Twitter: @monroecounty

Instagram: @monroecountybocc

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Members of the Press

FROM:            Helen Aguirre Ferré, Director of Communications, Governor Ron DeSantis

DATE:             March 27, 2020

RE:                   Executive Orders 20-86 and 20-87

Good evening:

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-86, directing all persons who enter the State of Florida from an area with substantial community spread, to include the State of Louisiana, inclusive of those entering the State of Florida by roadways, to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry into the State of Florida or the duration of the person’s presence in the State of Florida, whichever is shorter.

The Governor also issued Executive Order 20-87, ordering all parties engaged in rental of vacation rental properties to suspend vacation rental operations. Vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in for the duration of this order.

Sincerely,

Helen Aguirre Ferré

Director of Communications

Governor Ron DeSantis

 

STATE OF FLORIDA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-86

(Emergency Management – COVID-19 –Additional Requirements of Certain Individuals Traveling to Florida)

WHEREAS, Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among humans through respiratory transmission and presents with symptoms similar to those of influenza; and

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, I issued Executive Order number 20-51 directing the Florida Department of Health to issue a Public Health Emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer declared a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a state of emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 24, 2020, I issued Executive Order number 20-82 directing all persons from an area with substantial community spread who enter the State of Florida to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days; and

WHEREAS, as Governor, I am responsible for meeting the dangers presented to this state and its people by this emergency.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section (1)(a) of the Florida Constitution, Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order to take immediate effect:

Section 1.

• I hereby direct all persons who enter the State of Florida from an area with substantial community spread, to include the State of Louisiana, inclusive of those entering the State of Florida by roadways, to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry into the State of Florida or the duration of the person’s presence in the State of Florida, whichever is shorter.  This section shall not apply to persons performing military, emergency, health or infrastructure response, or persons involved in any commercial activity.  This Order shall take effect immediately and apply retroactively to all persons who have entered Florida after being in any area with substantial community spread.  All persons isolating or quarantining under this Section shall be responsible for all costs associated with their isolation or quarantine, including transportation, lodging, food, medical care and any other expenses to sustain the person during the period of isolation or quarantine.
• I hereby direct all persons covered under Section 1(A) of this Order to inform any individual in Florida with whom they have had direct physical contact in the past 21 days that they traveled from an area with substantial community spread.
• I direct the establishment of appropriate checkpoints on the roadways for those persons and vehicles entering the State of Florida and to require those persons to provide information, including in a written form, regarding the origin of their travel and on the address of their location of isolation or quarantine for a period of 14 days.  I further direct the Florida Department of Transportation to facilitate locations for appropriate checkpoints, including at welcome centers and rest stops, and to facilitate the placement of road signs and advisories to provide information on this Order and to direct traffic to the appropriate checkpoint.
• Pursuant to sections 252.36(5)(b) and 252.47, Florida Statutes, the Florida Highway Patrol and County Sheriffs are directed to assist with the establishment of appropriate checkpoints, the flow of traffic to those checkpoints and any enforcement actions.

Section 2.  Failure to follow Section 1 of this Order is a second-degree misdemeanor pursuant to section 252.50, Florida Statutes, and is punishable by imprisonment not to exceed 60 days, a fine not to exceed $500, or both.

Section 3.

• Pursuant to section 252.47, Florida Statutes, I hereby direct all state, county and local law enforcement authorities to enforce this Order.  Any law enforcement authority that interacts with a person in violation of Section 1(A) of this Order shall immediately report the individual, along with personal identifying and contact information, to the Florida Department of Health.
• Pursuant to section 381.0012(5), Florida Statutes, “it shall be the duty of every state and county attorney, sheriff, police officer, and other appropriate city and county officials upon the request to assist the Department of Health” in enforcing any isolation or quarantine, state health law and order of the Department of Health issued pursuant to this Order.

Section 4.  To the extent necessary, the exceptions of this Executive Order are applicable to Executive Order 20-80, Section 1(A) and 20-82, Section 1(A).

Section 5. This Executive Order shall expire upon the expiration of Executive Order
20-52, including any extensions, or upon an Executive Order lifting the isolation or quarantine after advice from the State Health Officer and Surgeon General.

 

STATE OF FLORIDA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-87

(Emergency Management – COVID-19 – Vacation Rental Closures)

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-51 directing the Florida Department of Health to issue a Public Health Emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer declared a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a state of emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, President Donald J. Trump and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) issued the “15 Days to Slow the Spread” guidance advising individuals to adopt far-reaching social distancing measures; and

WHEREAS, the CDC has cautioned against non-essential travel within the United States; and

WHEREAS, Florida is experiencing an increase in individuals fleeing to Florida from out-of-state locations where “shelter-in-place” orders are being implemented and/or community spread exists; and

WHEREAS, many cases of COVID-19 in Florida have resulted from individuals coming into the State of Florida from international travel and other states, posing great risk to Florida residents; and

WHEREAS, vacation rentals and third-party platforms advertising vacation rentals in Florida present attractive lodging destinations for individuals coming into Florida; and

WHEREAS, as Governor, I am responsible for meeting the dangers presented to this state and its people by this emergency.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section (1)(a) of the Florida Constitution, Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order to take immediate effect:

Section 1.        Vacation Rentals

I hereby order all parties engaged in rental of vacation rental properties, as defined in section 509.242(1)(c), Florida Statutes, to suspend vacation rental operations.  Vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in for the duration of this order.  This directive shall include the:

• Rental of any house, condominium, cooperative, or dwelling unit that is also a transient public lodging establishment, as defined under Section 509.013(4)(a), Florida Statutes; and
  • Which is rented for periods of less than 30 days or 1 calendar month, whichever is less; or
  • Which is advertised or held out to the public as a place regularly rented to guests; or
  • Which is otherwise regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (“DBPR”) as a vacation rental pursuant to section 509.241, Florida Statutes.
• This directive shall not include the following:
  • Hotels, motels, inns, resorts, non-transient public lodging establishments, or time share projects; or
  • Long-term rentals; or
  • Rental stays where guests are currently staying in a vacation rental or have previously booked a stay and are schedule to check-in no later than March 28, 2020; or
  • Rentals to persons performing military, emergency, governmental, health or infrastructure response, or travelers engaged in non-vacation commercial activities.

Section 2.        Violations of the Order

• DBPR shall supplement this directive with guidance or directives as necessary to implement the order and shall take steps necessary to inspect licensed properties or third-party platforms whereby Florida vacation rentals may be advertised.
• DBPR shall revoke the vacation rental license of any party that violates this order or otherwise advertises vacation rental opportunities during the duration of this order; and
• DBPR shall alert the state authorities to evidence of violations or attempts to violate this order; and
• Parties that violate this order or attempt to violate the order through advertising or other means of solicitation may be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable as provided in Sections 775.082 or 775.083, Fla. Stat.

Section 3.        This Executive Order shall expire in 14 days unless extended by subsequent order.

CHECK POINT PHOTOS: TRAVEL RESTRICTED TO RESIDENTS AND THOSE WORKING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS DUE TO COVID-19

MONROE COUNTY – Monroe County and its law enforcement partners coordinated the implementation of southbound traffic stops at mile marker 112.5 on the U.S. 1 (18-Mile Stretch) and on State Road 905 (Card Sound Road), to limit exposure to coronavirus and reinforce Monroe County’s closure to visitors and non-residents.

The stops are averaging about 20 to 22 turnarounds an hour according to Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol, both of which are manning the stations.

The stations began 24-hour operations Friday morning until further notice. The checkpoint is being reevaluated daily. Only residents, property owners, and those actively involved in work in the Florida Keys will be admitted, including fuel tankers, delivery and grocery trucks.

Proof of residency can be demonstrated with a resident reentry sticker, local identification, utility bill, deed, lease or tax bill. Those actively engaged in work in the Florida Keys, such as construction workers, will need to show a letter from their employer, employee identification, a paystub, or current construction contract in the Keys. First responders, healthcare workers and military actively engaged in work in the Keys will need proper IDs.

Delays are possible at checkpoints and officials advise not to call 911 with non-emergency questions about U.S. 1.

Go to www.monroecountyem.com/covid-19 for more information about Monroe County’s response to COVID-19, INCLUDING ALL UPDATES REGARDING U.S. 1. Residents can call the Monroe County Emergency Management information hotline at 800-955-5504, M-F 9-5.

EMERGENCY DIRECTIVE 20-03.COVID-19 CHECK POINT

STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOREXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-82

(Emergency Management – COVID-19 –Isolation of Individuals Traveling to Florida)

WHEREAS, Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among humans through respiratory transmission and presents with symptoms similar to those of influenza; and

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, I issued Executive Order number 20-51 directing the Florida Department of Health to issue a Public Health Emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer declared a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a state of emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, many cases of COVID-19 in Florida have resulted from individuals coming into the State of Florida from international travel and other states, posing great risk to Florida residents; and

WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-80 requiring the screening, isolation and quarantine of individuals whose point of departure originated outside the State of Florida in an area with substantial community spread, to include the New York Tri-State Area; and

WHEREAS, Florida is experiencing an increase in individuals fleeing to Florida from states where “shelter-in-place” orders are being implemented, including from the New York Tri-State Area; and

WHEREAS, as Governor, I am responsible for meeting the dangers presented to this state and its people by this emergency.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section (1)(a) of the Florida Constitution, Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order to take immediate effect:

Section 1.

1. I hereby direct all persons who enter the State of Florida from an area with substantial community spread, to include the New York Tri-State Area (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York), to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry into the State of Florida or the duration of the person’s presence in the State of Florida, whichever is shorter. This Order shall not apply to persons employed by the airlines and those performing military, emergency or health response. This Order shall take effect immediately and apply retroactively to all persons who have entered Florida after being in any area with substantial community spread within the previous 14 days. All persons isolating or quarantining under this Section shall be responsible for all costs associated with their isolation or quarantine, including transportation, lodging, food, medical care and any other expenses to sustain the person during the period of isolation or quarantine.
2. I hereby direct all persons covered under Section 1(A) of this Order to inform any individual in Florida with whom they have had direct physical contact in the past 21 days that they traveled from an area with substantial community spread.

Section 2.  Failure to follow Section 1 of this Order is a second-degree misdemeanor pursuant to section 252.50, Florida Statutes, and is punishable by imprisonment not to exceed 60 days, a fine not to exceed $500, or both.

Section 3.

252. Pursuant to section 252.47, Florida Statutes, I hereby direct all state, county and local law enforcement authorities to enforce this Order. Any law enforcement authority that interacts with a person in violation of Section 1(A) of this Order shall immediately report the individual, along with personal identifying and contact information, to the Florida Department of Health.
253. Pursuant to section 381.0012(5), Florida Statutes, “it shall be the duty of every state and county attorney, sheriff, police officer, and other appropriate city and county officials upon the request to assist the Department of Health” in enforcing any isolation or quarantine, state health law and order of the Department of Health issued pursuant to this Order.

Section 4. This Executive Order shall expire upon the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions, or upon an Executive Order lifting the isolation or quarantine after advice from the State Health Officer and Surgeon General.

 

STATE OF FLORIDA

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-83

(Emergency Management – COVID-19 –Protective Measures for Vulnerable Populations, Gatherings of Private Citizens and Density of the Workforce)

WHEREAS, Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among humans through respiratory transmission and presents with symptoms similar to those of influenza; and

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, I issued Executive Order number 20-51 directing the Florida Department of Health to issue a Public Health Emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer declared a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a state of emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions are particularly at risk for severe illness or death due to COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, President Donald J. Trump and the CDC issued “15 Days to Slow the Spread” guidance advising individuals to avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people and advising older persons and persons with serious underlying health conditions to stay home and away from others; and

WHEREAS, as Governor, I am responsible for meeting the dangers presented to this state and its people by this emergency.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section (1)(a) of the Florida Constitution, Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order to take immediate effect:

Section 1.

19. I hereby direct the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer to issue a public health advisory to all persons over 65 years of age urging them to stay home and to take such other measures as necessary to limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19.
20. I further direct the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer to issue a public health advisory to persons that have a serious underlying medical condition that places them at a high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Consistent with CDC guidance, such conditions include, but not limited to, chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma; serious heart conditions; immunocompromised status, including those in cancer treatment; and severe obesity. The Surgeon General’s advisory must urge these persons to stay home and to take such other measures as necessary to limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Section 2.        I hereby direct the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer to issue a public health advisory against all social or recreational gatherings of 10 or more people.

Section 3.        I hereby direct the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer to issue a public health advisory to those who can work remotely urging them to do so.

Section 4.        Any action(s) taken or document(s) issued by the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer pursuant to this Executive Order shall not constitute a rule as defined in section 120.52(16), Florida Statutes, and are specifically exempted from any and all requirements or procedures outlined in chapter 120 and section 252.46, Florida Statutes.

Section 5.        This Executive Order shall expire upon the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions.

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Please note that under Florida law correspondence sent to the Governor’s Office, which is not confidential or exempt pursuant to chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, is a public record made available upon request.

MONROE COUNTY EMERGENCY DIRECTIVE: TOURIST BAN ENFORCEMENT PROTOCOL

Posted on: March 24, 2020

OFFICIALS TO RESTRICT TRAVEL ON FLORIDA KEYS OVERSEAS HIGHWAY (U.S. 1)

Posted on: March 24, 2020