Contact:  Jan Thornburg, Sr. Communications Manager   941-650-9693
                 Jan.Thornburg@SarasotaFL.gov

The City of Sarasota has extended its declaration of a local citywide public health emergency through Dec. 18 following a weekly review, as required by the City Charter, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

The order also ends the suspension of applications for Special Events Permits and Parks Permits.  Applications will be accepted and considered for events to be held any time after Feb. 10, 2021.  Applicants must implement safety standards and protocols approved by the City Manager.

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
• Ringling Spur (adjacent to McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre), from Ringling Boulevard to the alley
• Main Street, from Mira Mar Court to South Palm Avenue

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.

The City has distributed more than 40,000 complimentary paper and cloth face masks to residents, visitors and businesses, with more available. If you or someone you know needs a free mask, 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

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. Testing is open to everyone, regardless of residency or symptoms, and no appointments are necessary.

A Sarasota-specific call center for questions and concerns about COVID-19 is now 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 Jan Thornburg, Senior Communications Manager:  941-650-9693.

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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