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 May 14 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. 

The order also authorizes the city engineer to continue to permit restaurants that have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 emergency to place tables and chairs in on-street public parking spaces for outdoor dining.  

City Hall and other City buildings are now open to the public, and face coverings are required. Some offices, including Permitting, are open by appointment only. Call 941-263-6000 to schedule an appointment, or visit www.SarasotaFL.gov for online services. 

Additional resources 

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 will be available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Ambassadors for the ERAP program will also be available to assist individuals with the application process at several locations throughout the county, including the following within the city limits: 

• 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 

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. 

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. 

A state-run, walk-up COVID-19 testing site is available at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 34^th St., daily 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:  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.