Beaches, restaurants, retailers, vacation rentals, businesses and many Destin Life partners have been opening or reopening and getting back to work! Here’s the latest at the time of this printing:
Vacation rentals in the Florida panhandle have been allowed to book guests again and tourists are so happy. Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are all now allowed short-term rentals after Gov. Ron DeSantis approved each county’s rental safety plans. Vacation rental reservations from areas identified by Governor DeSantis as high risk, through Executive Order 20-82, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, must be for periods longer than the quarantine period established in that Order. Guests occupying those vacation rentals must adhere to the quarantine restrictions or be subject to established criminal and civil penalties. All persons entering Florida from areas with substantial community spread must self- isolate/quarantine for 14 days or the duration of the person’s presence in Florida, whichever is shorter. For the safety of all residents and visitors, tourism partners are encouraged to refrain from renting to guests from high-risk areas. The locales for which rentals are prohibited or restricted could change as the state of Florida reviews the spread of COVID-19 across the U.S.
The beaches are open with social distancing and event restrictions still in effect.
As of May 18, restaurants were excited to welcome customers back as they are allowed to open at 50% capacity indoors with outdoor seating encouraged.
Retail, museums and libraries were also allowed to open at 50% capacity indoors. Gyms and fitness centers reopened as well with social distancing and sanitizing of equipment after each use. “If you’re inside, make sure you’re doing the social distance and then sanitize machines and surfaces after use,” Gov. DeSantis said. “I mean, that should be happening anyway.”
Barber shops, hair salons and nail salons also re-opened in May adhering to safety protocols. Professional sports teams can also train and teams are welcome in Florida. Theme parks will steadily reopen as they submit a plan that is approved.
State Parks began reopening May 4, although visitors should expect limited hours, capacity and amenities. All restrictions on youth activities have ended throughout the state, including summer camps and youth sports.
Elective surgeries were once again allowed as of May 18 if the facility meets certain conditions. Physicians are now actively scheduling medical procedures at nearby Fort Walton Beach Medical Center (FWBMC), Twin Cities Hospital and Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast.
Theaters and bars may operate at 50% inside and full capacity outdoors.Visiting long-term care facilities is still prohibited.
City of Destin City Hall and Community
In May, City Manager Lance Johnson announced a soft reopening of some of City of Destin’s facility lobbies, including city hall and community center. The gradual reopening includes limited public access to some buildings, with restrictions, and following all Center for Disease Control (CDC) social distancing guidelines.
• Destin City Hall Lobby is open to the public on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
• Destin Community Center Lobby is open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Saturday (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.). All organized activities are suspended.
• Destin Library is open Monday and Friday (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Wednesday (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.). All organized activities are suspended. Curbside service is available.
• City Hall Annex municipal services will remain available to the public via phone and online. Limited in-person meetings are available at the discretion of city staff and by appointment only.
“Most city permit’s and services are available via phone or through virtual means. We encourage all citizens and businesses to use our website at cityofdestin.com or reach out to us by phone at 850.837.4242,” stated Lance.
The following city operated playgrounds are now open to the public:
• Children’s Park at Morgan Sports Center (4200 Indian Bayou Trail)
• Clement Taylor Park Playground (131 Calhoun Avenue)
• Buck Destin Playground (724 Legion Drive)
• Destin Sports Complex Playground (633 Kelly Street)
• Kell-Aire Nature Walk Playground (874 Kell-Aire Drive)
The parks and recreation staff will sanitize equipment; however, park patrons are highly encouraged to bring hand sanitizer as an added measure. As information evolves regarding COVID-19 city officials will provide updates across all city social media platforms and website (www.cityofdestin.com).
COVID-19 Local Community Resources
• City of Destin: cityofdestin.com
• Okaloosa County: co.okaloosa.fl.us and Okaloosa County Health Department: http://okaloosa.floridahealth.gov
• Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov
For more information and updates, see Gov. DeSantis’ Plan for Florida’s Recovery: floridahealthcovid19.gov/plan-for-floridas-recovery
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