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:

REMINDER: The LAST DAY to file your taxes is July 15. To avoid penalties, make sure to file your taxes or seek an extension before the quickly approaching and FINAL tax deadline.

REOPENING FLORIDA SCHOOLS: On Monday, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran ordered all Florida public schools to reopen in August. According to Commissioner Corcoran, schools will offer “the full panoply of services” to students and families.

• Volusia County Schools will finalize reopening protocols during a meeting on July 15
• Flagler County Schools will return to in-person classes on August 10
  • Students will be strongly encouraged to wear face masks but are not required to
• St. Johns County Schools are giving students and parents until July 15 to select one of the four options proposed for the upcoming semester:
  • Option 1: School-Based Brick & Mortar (No action necessary; your school will be in contact regarding next steps)
  • Option 2: School-Based Distance Learning (Click here to enroll)
  • Option 3: St. Johns Virtual School (Contact St. Johns Virtual School to enroll)
  • Option 4: Home Education (Contact the District’s Guidance & Choice Department to enroll)
• Lake County Schools are giving students and parents until July 13 to select one of the three options proposed for the upcoming semester:
  • Option 1: Traditional school (Only in person)
  • Option 2: Virtual school (Only online)
  • Option 3: Modified day (Math and language arts in person and the rest online)

Volusia County:

• Mask mandates in Volusia County:
  • Daytona Beach has issued mandatory mask requirements
  • New Smyrna Beach has issued mandatory mask requirements
    • Applies inside and outside when you cannot socially distance
  • DeLand has issued mandatory mask requirements 
  • Orange City has issued mandatory mask requirements
  • Deltona has passed a resolution encouraging the use of masks
    • This is an encouragement NOT a mandate
• Volusia County beaches remain open. Social distancing is required and other beach regulations remain the same. Here’s what you can and can’t do:
  
  • Beach Driving: Cars are 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: Open in county-operated coastal and inlet parks
• Free face coverings available at 4 locations: The Florida Department of Health is offering face coverings at four different sites in Volusia County. These free face coverings are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at:
  • 421 South Keech Street in Daytona Beach
  • 1845 Holsonback Drive in Daytona Beach
  • 121 Rich Avenue in DeLand
  • 775 Harley Strickland Boulevard in Orange City
  • 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach Regional Library