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 June 4 following a weekly review, as required by the City Charter, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

There is no citywide face covering requirement, and individuals are encouraged to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for public health.

Local governments cannot impose restrictions or mandates upon businesses or individuals due to the COVID-19 emergency under Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 21-102. They can, however, issue orders that provide additional services or benefits intended to assist full recovery from the pandemic, such as the City’s street closure program and temporary outdoor café permits that allow additional space for outdoor dining at local restaurants.

City Hall and other City buildings are now open to the public. Face coverings are optional.

Vaccine information

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County is now offering COVID-19 vaccine at walk-up clinics with no registration or appointment necessary. For available dates, times and locations and more information, visit SarasotaHealth.org or scgov.net.

The state will host a free mobile vaccination clinic offering the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot, with no appointments necessary, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Friday through Monday (May 28-31) at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34^th St.

Homebound individuals can fill out an online survey or email HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com to register to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in their home. For questions and assistance filling out the survey, call 866-779-6121.

COVID-19 testing

Drive-thru COVID-19 testing is available daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the former Sarasota Kennel Club, 5400 Old Bradenton Road. Testing is free, and no appointments are necessary.

Community members are encouraged to visit CVS, Walgreens or other local retail pharmacies or medical providers that offer COVID-19 testing.

Rental assistance

Applications for Sarasota County's Emergency Rental Assistance Program are now available for city and county residents financially impacted by COVID-19 and seeking assistance paying rent and utilities. Individuals can apply online at scgov.net/rent.

For assistance with applications, an ERAP Call Center is available at 941-861-RENT (7368). The call center is available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The City is also helping to provide ambassadors for the ERAP program to assist individuals with the application process at the following locations:

• Betty J. Johnson Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd. - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Goodwill, 1781 Dr. Martin Luther King Way - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

Florida residents can also apply for the OUR (Opportunities for Utilities and Rental Assistance) Florida Program, the state's federally-funded emergency rental assistance relief program to support residents and businesses as they continue to recover and rebuild.

If you have already received assistance through CARES Act, state and local relief funds or private, non-profit organizations, the rent or utility bills that were covered by these programs are not eligible for payments through OUR Florida. Outstanding rent and utility bills that were not covered by these programs may be eligible for support from OUR Florida.

Applications are now being accepted online at ourflorida.com.

Additional resources

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:  866-779-6121.

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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.