Walton County COVID19 Updates

[Ty Webb]

So...is Seaside going to not charge rent to their merchants during this time? Anyone in the know?
Also, is Seaside going to compensate all of the workers at these businesses?

 

[James Bentwood]

So...is Seaside going to not charge rent to their merchants during this time? Anyone in the know?
Also, is Seaside going to compensate all of the workers at these businesses?

Why are you asking?

 

[lenzoe]

Can we make it clear that the beaches ARE still open? The statement that Seaside is closing private accesses is being wildly misconstrued. Public beaches are OPEN, and public beach accesses are OPEN.

Events, venues, and shops in the area may be closing. Eating establishments may be doing carryout. Grouping is ill-advised. But I don't think that social distancing means that sitting on the beach and enjoying the sun is prohibited in any way. Is it?

 

[Teresa]

Walton County public beaches remain OPEN at this time, with the exception of Seaside. Many of our beach towns have announced that their spring events are canceled while merchants and restaurants remain open. But any of this can change.

Florida State Parks remain open but with shorter hours. Now 8am til 5pm.

Also, new:
Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park:
Current campers can stay until Friday at 1:00 p.m. (check-out time). After that all Florida State Park campgrounds and cabins are closed until May 15th.

 

[Kurt]

Can we make it clear that the beaches ARE still open? The statement that Seaside is closing private accesses is being wildly misconstrued. Public beaches are OPEN, and public beach accesses are OPEN.

Events, venues, and shops in the area may be closing. Eating establishments may be doing carryout. Grouping is ill-advised. But I don't think that social distancing means that sitting on the beach and enjoying the sun is prohibited in any way. Is it?

A good point. Getting out and enjoying nature is healthy for body and mind.

Each Street in Seaside has its own HOA which owns and controls its own access separate from Seaside Community Development Corporation which owns town center commercial. These private beach pavilions on each street are for owners and guests of homes in Seaside.

 

[Teresa]

From Governor Ron DeSantis Press Conference this Morning

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that restaurants in Florida will be able to stay open but only be allowed to fill to half capacity and all tables must be at least 6 feet apart.

DeSantis said he is encouraging restaurants to go to take-out only if they want to.

All Florida bars and nightclubs are to close beginning 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17th and must remain closed for 30 days.

DeSantis said he wants restaurants to stay at a 50 percent capacity limit, and keep tables 6-feet apart. He also said restaurant workers will need to undergo health screenings to ensure they can work around food.

Florida bars to close, restaurants to limit capacity

 

[Teresa]

Walton County Emergency Management
Tuesday March 17

COVID-19 Update @ 10:15 a.m. March 17th

As of 10:00am, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Walton County.

The Walton County Department of Health is testing as per the protocol set forth by the Centers for Disease Control. The testing criteria is attached.

In order to provide information to the public, there are several methods of communication to get questions answered.

If you are experiencing symptoms and you feel that you may have a case of COVID-19, please follow the following procedure.

1. Do not call 911. 911 is for immediately life threatening emergencies only.
2. If you have a family physician or provider, please contact your provider first.
3. If you do not have a family physician or provider, you can contact the Walton County Department of Health at 850-401-6453.

If you do not have symptoms and would like to ask general questions regarding COVID-19, the State of Florida has set up a hotline to answer those questions. Please contact 866-779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

Walton County Department of Health - Florida Department of Health in Walton

 

[Kurt]

Walton County tourism partners and committee members,

I want to share an update following the Walton County Board of County Commissioners’ emergency meeting yesterday, as well as this morning’s announcement by Governor Ron DeSantis. We have also provided a list of cancellations announced by our tourism partners. As we all try to react appropriately to what is an unprecedented event, it is our goal to protect our locals and visitors alike, while supporting our partners as best we can.

As you adjust business hours or offerings, please email matt@visitsouthwalton.com so that we can share your message and help keep everyone updated in this rapidly changing situation.

Please see the update below and attached for your convenience.

Regular updates will be provided by Walton County Emergency Management, at www.WaltonCountyEM.org

Best Regards,

Jay Tusa, CDME, CTIS, TMP
Executive Director
Walton County TDC
(850) 267-1216
Jay@VisitSouthWalton.com



Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announcement:

This morning (3/17) Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference in which he announced the mandatory closing of all Florida bars and nightclubs, beginning at 5 p.m. He is mandating that restaurants limit seating to 50-percent of capacity, with staggered seating to distance diners from each other. On the beach, he recommends groups of no more than 10 people, with each group keeping 6-feet of separation.


Update following the Walton County BCC Emergency Meeting

During the Emergency Walton County Board of County Commissioners (WCBCC) meeting held March 16, 2020, the WCBCC issued a Local State of Emergency (LSE). This LSE will be in place for seven days and must be re-issued on a weekly basis.

The WCBCC has taken the following actions:

• Cancellation of all BCC and TDC permitted outdoor events and beach activity ordinance special events.
• Cancellation of all work-related travel outside the county for BCC employees without special permission from Director and County Administration.
• Suspension of the rental of all county owned public facilities.
• Extended all current dog beach permits for 8 weeks. No new permit processing until June 1st.
• Extended all driving on the beach permits until August 1st. Beach permit lottery application process will begin June 1st.
• All Walton County Volunteer Board meetings have been cancelled for the remainder of March and the month of April. At this time, these meetings are expected to continue in May.

The WCBCC did not close Walton County’s beaches.

The WCBCC encourages all Walton County citizens and visitors to be mindful and adhere to all direction distributed by the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.

Protect yourself and your community from COVID-19. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when you are sick.

FDOH COVID-19 Information Page (Updated Regularly)

CDC COVID-19 Information Page (Updated Regularly)


Additional Information and Cancellations (as announced by tourism partners)

• Seaside has announced closing some operations - https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=70034f1e917bdb0ebc322ba87&id=811dcf009b
• South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival has been cancelled
• The Sandestin Wine Festival has been cancelled
• The Village of Baytowne Wharf has cancelled upcoming events
• The Hub 30A is suspending their schedule of events through March 31
• The Merchants of Rosemary Beach has cancelled upcoming events through March 31
• Beginning March 16, the Bayou Arts Center will be closed and the CAA team will work remotely remaining available via email, phone and virtual meet-ups.
• Gulfplace has cancelled their Wine Walk (Usually held on Thursdays)
• WaterColor is suspending Art in the Park, Easter Sunrise Service, and the Easter Egg Hunt and Toss
• Emerald Coast Theatre Company is closed through March 31
• Beginning Friday, camping in Florida State Parks is suspended until May 15
• All meetings, classes and workshops at The Bayou Arts Center will be postponed and rescheduled for a later date.
• The Foster Gallery at Grand Boulevard will be temporarily closed beginning March 16.
• The Under the Sea fundraiser for the Underwater Museum of Art scheduled for Thursday, May 7 will be postponed for a later date.
• ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival scheduled for May 9 & 10 is rescheduled for October 10 & 11 in Grand Boulevard Town Center.

 

[Ty Webb]

Why are you asking?

Are you a Saeside executive or a Seaside merchant? If not, why are YOU asking?

 

[Teresa]

BREAKING

Governor Ron DeSantis Issues an Executive Order Regarding Bars, Beaches and Restaurants
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an Executive Order that will reduce density and crowds in restaurants, bars, nightclubs and beaches to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Bars and Nightclubs
Under the direction of Governor DeSantis, all bars and nightclubs throughout Florida will close for the next 30 days. Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) will be enforcing and providing further guidance.

Beaches
The Governor is directing parties accessing public beaches in the state of Florida to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance by limiting their gatherings to no more than 10 persons.

Restaurants
Restaurants across the state of Florida will now be required to limit customer entry to 50 percent of capacity. Seating must be staggered and limited to ensure seated parties are separated by a distance of at least six feet, in accordance with CDC guidelines. Restaurants are encouraged to remain open and expand take-out and delivery services. Additional information will be provided by DBPR.