Information about COVID-19 will be shared by the City of Belleview on our Facebook page as it becomes available to us; however, the most up-to-date information about this ongoing issue can be found on the Florida Department of Health’s website as well as the CDC website. Marion County government officials are also posting on their Facebook page with local resources and information.
All public health questions should be directed to the Florida Department of Health’s Call Center
COVID-19 Call Center
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STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DECLARATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory illness that appears to occur through respiratory transmission and presents with symptoms similar to those of influenza; and
WHEREAS, as of February 29, 2020, COVID-19 has spread throughout China and to 67 other countries and territories, including 62 cases within the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all states and territories implement aggressive measures to slow and contain transmission of COVID-19 in the United States; and
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of international concern related to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services declared that a public health emergency exists nationwide as a result of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States; and
WHEREAS, one Hillsborough County resident and one Manatee County resident have tested presumptively positive for COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-51, declaring that appropriate measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in the State of Florida are necessary, and therefore directed that a Public Health Emergency be declared in the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, implementation of basic precautions of infection control and prevention, including staying at home when ill and practicing respiratory and hand hygiene are necessary to slow or prevent the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a communicable disease with significant morbidity and mortality, and presents a severe danger to public health; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a threat to public health in Florida.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Scott A. Rivkees, M.D., State Surgeon General and State Health Officer, by virtue of Executive Order Number 20-51 issued by Governor Ron DeSantis, the authority vested in me by section 381.00315, Florida Statutes, and after consultation with Governor Ron DeSantis and public health officials within the Department of Health, do hereby declare that a public health emergency exists in the State of Florida. In order to respond to this emergency, the following shall commence:
Section 1. In order to protect public health, I find it is necessary for the Florida Department of Health to request assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address this public health emergency.
Section 2. In order to protect public health, I find it is necessary to advise individuals in the State of Florida that have traveled to an area that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Warning Level 3 or Alert Level 2 Travel Health Notice, or have been in close contact with an individual that has traveled to such an area, that develop symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing within 14 days of such travel or close contact should immediately contact the Florida Department of Health in their current county and self-isolate until cleared by the Florida Department of Health.
Section 3. In order to protect public health, I find it is necessary to advise any individuals who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 to contact their local county health department prior to travelling to any physician’s office, emergency department, hospital, or urgent care center, to ensure proper protective measures are taken to prevent further risk of spread to others.
Section 4. In order to protect public health, I find it is necessary to remind health care providers, hospitals, and labs that they are required to immediately report all suspected cases of COVID-19 to the local county health department to ensure a prompt public health response to prevent disease among close contacts.
Section 5. In order to protect public health, the Florida Department of Health will maintain an Incident Management Team to coordinate the public health response for the State of Florida.
Section 6. In order to protect public health, the Florida Department of Health, at such time when necessary, may take actions to protect the public health, pursuant to the authority of section 381.00315, Florida Statutes, including quarantine, isolation and other interventions.
Issued this 1st day of March 2020, in Department of Health offices, Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.
Scott A. Rivkees, M.D.
State Surgeon General
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MARCH 17 - GOVERNOR DESANTIS RELEASES EXECUTIVE ORDER 20-68
This executive order pertains to bars, nightclubs, pubs, beaches, and restaurants. To read the full text, visit this page.
Section 1. Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs
A. Pursuant to sections 252.36(5)(g)-(h), Florida Statutes , any licensee authorized to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises that derive more than 50% of its gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages shall suspend all sale of alcoholic beverages for thirty days from the date of this order, effective at 5 p.m. today, March 17, 2020.
B. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation shall utilize its authorities under Florida law to further implement and enforce the provisions of this Section and shall take additional measures with respect to bars, pubs and nightclubs as necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
Section 2. Beaches
Pursuant to section 252.36(5)(k), Florida Statutes, I direct parties accessing public beaches in the State of Florida to follow the CDC guidance by limiting theirs gatherings to no more than 10 persons, distance themselves from other parties by 6 feet, and support beach closures at the discretion of local authorities.
Section 3. Restaurants
A. Pursuant to section 252.36(5)(g), Florida Statutes, a restaurant shall immediately limit its occupancy to 50% of its current building occupancy.
B. Pursuant to section 252.36(5)(g), Florida Statutes, a restaurant shall follow the CDC guidance by ensuring, at minimum, a 6-foot distance between any group of patrons and limiting parties to no more than 10 individuals.
C. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation shall ensure all restaurants implement employee screening and prohibit any employee from entering the restaurant premises if they meet any of the criteria listed below:
1) Any person infected with COVID-19 who has not had two consecutive negative test results separated by 24 hours;
2) Any person showing, presenting signs or symptoms of, or disclosing the presence of a respiratory infection, including cough, fever, shortness of breath or sore throat;
3) Any person who has been in contact with any person(s) known to be infected with COVID-19, who has not yet tested negative for COVID-19 within the past 14 days;
4) Any person who traveled through any airport within the past 14 days; or
5) Any person who traveled on a cruise ship within the past 14 days.
D. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation shall utilize its authorities under Florida law to further implement and enforce the provisions of this Section and shall take additional measures with respect to bars, pubs and nightclubs as necessary to protect the public health , safety and welfare.