|
Dear Friend,
I’m continuing to work closely with federal, state and local officials during this pandemic to monitor and fight the coronavirus in our community. There’s a lot of new information and I wanted to make sure you don’t miss anything:
REOPENING FLORIDA: All counties in Florida have entered Phase 1 of Gov. DeSantis’ plan to safely reopen our economy. Local governments may still have restrictions based on each community. Governor Ron DeSantis has lifted all restrictions on youth activities. Here’s what’s included in Phase 1:
- Restaurants at 50% capacity (with spacing and/or partitions)
- Gyms and fitness centers (50 % capacity with machines and surfaces sanitized after each use)
- Retail shops at 50% capacity
- Museums and libraries at 50% capacity
- Salons and barbershops (with these safety guidelines)
- Elective surgeries
- Youth activities (including youth sports and summer camps)
GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: We’re fortunate to have so many nurses and doctors in our community fighting hard against the coronavirus. Daytona State College nursing student Cassie Angrisani is one of them – and she was recently recognized by the State Board of Education for her incredible work as an emergency responder on the frontlines of the coronavirus. We are so thankful for Cassie and all our healthcare workers’ service to our community and our country!
OUR DISTRICT’S MEMORIAL DAY EVENT UPDATES:
- Flagler County: Memorial Day event will now take place online starting at 9 a.m.
- Volusia County: The cities of DeLand, Deltona, New Smyrna Beach and Palm Coast Memorial Day events are cancelled
LOCAL UPDATES: Florida K-12 schools will continue distance learning and remain physically closed until the end of this school year. Parents and students should visit their school district’s website for more information on closures and distance learning guidelines:
Flagler County:
- Flagler County beaches are open without limitations, except the practice of social distancing
- Boardwalk and piers remain closed until further notice
- Handicapped-friendly parking and beach access will be available just north of the pier at South 2nd Street and State Road A1A
- Continue to follow safe sanitation practices
- Palm Coast and Bunnell libraries are open at 50% capacity
- Rooms and activities inside the library will be limited to no more than two hours per day per person
- Drive-thru coronavirus testing: Daytona Beach College’s Palm Coast campus site is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon for qualifying residents in Flagler County
- Daytona State College, 3000 Palm Coast Pkwy SE, Palm Coast FL 32137
- Call (386) 313-4200 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to complete a short screening process to qualify for an appointment
- Residents must have:
- Underlying medical conditions, weakened immune systems or be over the age of 65
- Symptoms of COVID-19 which includes fever, cough and shortness of breath
- 2020 High School Graduation: Flagler seniors will finish their high school career by crossing the finish line at Daytona International Speedway. Congratulations and students, start your engines!
Lake County:
- COVID-19 and antibody testing will be administered to Lake County residents for $20 through May 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment necessary. Residents are required to present proof of residence to qualify for the reduced testing fee. Sites are located at:
- 3619 Lake Center Drive, Mount Dora – Adult Medicine of Lake County – Monday to Friday
- 109 E. Dixie Ave., Leesburg – Venetian Gardens – Wednesdays and Fridays
- 3700 S. Highway 27, Clermont – Clermont Arts & Recreation Center – Tuesdays and Thursdays
- 2101 N. County Road 452, Eustis – Lake County Fairgrounds – Monday to Friday
-
500 Shiloh St., Fruitland Park – Cales Memorial Multipurpose Soccer Field Recreation Complex – May 27 and June 3
-
24731 Ann St., Astor – First Baptist Church of Astor – May 29
- Lake County libraries are closed to the public but are now offering curbside pickup
- Vulnerable population restrictions: County Commissioners put in place an order urging all at-risk populations, including those with underlying medical conditions, to stay at home
- Social distancing at businesses will be monitored
St. Johns County:
- St. Johns County beaches are open for exercise and sunbathing
- CDC guidelines and social distancing restrictions remain in place
- On-beach driving remains prohibited
- Recreational facilities, including recreation centers, pools, pavilions, remain closed
- All recreational programming, including open play, camps, league activities, remain suspended
- All activities and events including farmers markets, remain suspended
- Ocean and Fishing Pier is open to the public with no access fee
- The gift shop and visitor information center will open TODAY to the public from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, during the summer season
- SJC Libraries are reopen for essential services: returns, grab-and-go service and computer usage up to one hour
- Seating areas, meetings rooms and play area will not be accessible
- Emergency Operations Center remains open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday –(904) 824-5550
- St. Johns County has resumed issuing marriage licenses and processing passports for St. Johns County residents by appointment only – (904) 819-3632
- St. Johns River Water campsites are open starting TODAY at 1 p.m.
Volusia County:
- Volusia County beaches are open. Here’s what you can and can’t do:
- Beach Driving: Cars are now allowed to drive onto Volusia County beaches from all 23 ramps
- Small Groups: People may not congregate in groups of more than six people
- Social Distancing: Groups setting up camp — blankets, chairs, umbrellas, tents — must remain 10 feet apart from others
- Parks and Parking: Coastal parks are open (some at less than full capacity), including:
- Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park in Ormond Beach
- Wisteria Road parking lot in Daytona Beach
- Dahlia Avenue Park in Daytona Beach Shores
- Lighthouse Point Park in Ponce Inlet
- Smyrna Dunes Park in New Smyrna Beach
- Restrooms and showers: Now open in county-operated coastal and inlet parks
- Volusia County Farmers Market is now open Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Relocated to the west parking lot of the Volusia County Fairgrounds (3050 E. New York Ave., DeLand, Florida 32724) due to coronavirus testing
- Attendees are encouraged to wear masks and hand-sanitizing stations are set up throughout the grounds
- Admission and parking are free
- Volusia County libraries remain closed to the public but are open for curbside pickup
- COVID-19 testing is taking place at three testing locations. They are open and operating Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. No referral nor appointment is necessary. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, visit one of these three locations:
- 960 S. Williamson Blvd. - Daytona Beach Racing and Card Club (drive-thru testing)
- 1200 Deltona Blvd. - Deltona Plaza (drive-thru testing)
- 1205 S. Woodland Blvd. - DeLand (walk-up only)
- 925 George W. Engram Blvd, Daytona Beach- Midtown Cultural & Education Center (walk-up only, 18+)
- Antibody testing is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m to 5 p.m.
- No appointment necessary but a blood draw will be required for the test
- Cost of the test should be covered by insurance or free if you don’t have insurance
- Located at 3150 E New York Ave, DeLand, FL 32724
- High school graduations: Be sure to frequently check the Volusia Schools website for the most up to date information
- As of right now, the backup graduation rehearsals and ceremonies are scheduled to be held from July 6 to July 11
FAQs and resources for individuals, small businesses & farmers: I have compiled a list of resources and Frequently Asked Questions to help ensure you have all the information you need to receive support that Congress has put in place:
For more information about the coronavirus in Florida, visit my website here.
As always, follow my daily work on social media by liking my Facebook page and following me on Twitter, YouTube and Instagram and feel free to reach out to my offices in Florida or Washington, D.C. if my team or I can ever be of service.
In Service,
Michael Waltz |