Contact:  Jason Bartolone, Communications Specialist   941-928-3988; jason.bartolone@sarasotaFL.gov

Sarasota, FL:  The City of Sarasota has extended its declaration of a local citywide public health emergency through Jan. 22 following a weekly review, as required by the City Charter, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The emergency order also extends the moratorium on water and sewer shutoffs for City utility customers through Jan. 22 in recognition of the financial hardships caused by the pandemic. 

The order was issued Friday by Interim City Manager Marlon Brown, in consultation with Mayor Hagen Brody and City Attorney Robert Fournier. 

The City’s temporary street closure program allows additional space for outdoor dining to help restaurants and retailers severely impacted by the pandemic. The following temporary closures are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday: 

• Lemon Avenue, from Main Street to State Street
• Main Street, from Mira Mar Court to South Palm Avenue
• State Street, from Lemon Avenue to the State Street Parking Garage 

Face coverings are strongly encouraged in all indoor and outdoor public spaces in the City limits, whenever proper social distancing cannot be maintained in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. 

A list of Frequently Asked Questions about the face mask ordinance is available at www.SarasotaFL.gov. For questions, email mandatory.mask@sarasotaFL.gov. 

City buildings are open to the public by appointment only, and City business can be conducted either online via www.SarasotaFL.gov or by phone at 941-263-6000. 

Additional resources 

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County has begun offering a COVID-19 vaccine to high-risk front line health care workers and those 65 and older. Registration and more information can be found online.  To receive text message updates about vaccine availability in Sarasota County, text SRQCOVID19 to 888777 on your smartphone. 

Florida Department of Health Officer Chuck Henry provided an overview of COVID-19 in the community and vaccine distribution efforts to the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 13 (watch the video here). 

A state-run, walk-up COVID-19 testing site is available at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34^th St., every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or until daily testing capacity is reached. 

A state-supported, drive-thru COVID-19 testing site is available at the Sarasota Kennel Club, 5400 Old Bradenton Road, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until testing capacity is reached. 

Testing is open to everyone, regardless of residency or symptoms, and no appointments are necessary. For more information about state-supported testing sites and a list of frequently asked questions, visit floridadisaster.org/covid19/testing-sites. 

A Sarasota-specific call center for questions and concerns about COVID-19 is available through the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County:  941-861-2883. Subject matter experts are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The most current, official information on COVID-19 in Florida can be found at www.FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19.  A 24/7 hotline is also available:  1-866-779-6121. 

For more information, contact Jason Bartolone, Communications Specialist:  941-928-3988. 

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About the City of Sarasota:  Distinguished by U.S. News and World Report as the 16^th Best Place to Live in the U.S. and the No. 1 Best Place to Retire, the City of Sarasota is a diverse community located on Florida’s Suncoast with 56,000 year-round residents, several internationally recognized cultural arts venues, stunning sunsets along Lido Beach and Major League spring training baseball with the Baltimore Orioles.  Learn more about us at www.SarasotaFL.Gov.