IRLNews:2020/04/02/Brevard County Commission Moves to Close County to Non-Residents
Thursday April 2, 2020 2pm
Today the Brevard County Commission heard Rep. Randy Fine's message of “Brevard - Safer at Home - But Visitors, We Will See You Real Soon” and voted 4-1 to recommend that the Brevard Policy Board close the county to tourists and leisure visitors.
All overnight lodging venues including campgrounds will be asked to comply with the no tourism order. Failure to obey could be a second degree misdemeanor with maximum of 60 days in jail and/or $500 fine.
The commission hopes to curb the possible spread of Covid-19 due to out-of-county visitors, without limiting resident's access to Brevard's beaches, boat ramps and waterways.
Commissioners also voted to limit locals activities on the spoil islands sandbars to groups of 10 or less that are following social distancing guidelines.
How they voted:
- Smith - yes
- Pritchett - yes
- Lober - yes
- Isnardi - yes
- Tobia - no
State Representative Randy Fine and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey were present to field questions and advise the Commission.
The Commission's recommendations will be presented to the Brevard Policy Board at their 4:30pm meeting today. An official press release is expected this afternoon.
Brevard County Commission Special Meeting, 2:00pm April 2, 2020
Brevard County Commission Moves to Close County to Non-Residents
Sheriff Wayne Ivey Press Conference, April 2, 2020
"It is our intent to effectively close Brevard County to Tourists"
News Update 5:53pm 04/02/2020
https://www.brevardfl.gov/images/header_em.png
Source: Brevard County Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 2, 2020
COVID-19 Prompts Restrictions on Tourism and Mass Gatherings
BREVARD COUNTY, FL. – Based on a“Stay-at-Home” executive order from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and due to the spread and growing number of coronavirus cases in Brevard County, the Space Coast will close its doors to tourists and leisure travelers effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, April 3.
Until the governor’s Executive Order 20-91 (which also is in effect beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday) expires, hotels, motels, short-term rentals,vacation rentals, recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds and other transient rentals, such as time shares, vacation rentals by owner, and Airbnb, will deny reservations, including those made in advance, to visitors and travelers from outside the county. Exceptions include business travelers who can produce a note from their employer, those who are working in Brevard County, local residents and residents who need to isolate away from a family member with coronavirus.
The Board also voted to restrict access to spoil islands and sandbars for all individuals in an effort to comply with Centers for Disease Control and Florida Department of Health recommendations on social distancing of 6 feet and to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people.
The Brevard County Commission voted 4-1 on Thursday to recommend to the Policy Group to put both responsive measures in place as part of the County Emergency Management Plan. Policy Group members include Brevard County Commission Chair Bryan Lober; County Manager Frank Abbate; County Attorney Eden Bentley; Brevard County Fire Rescue Chief Mark Schollmeyer; Public Safety Director Matt Wallace; Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey; Brevard Health Department Administrator Maria Stahl; Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Mark Mullins; and Emergency Management Director Kimberly Prosser. The Policy Group approved both recommendations by unanimous vote.
Both actions Thursday followed reports from the Florida Department of Health that the number of those infected with coronavirus in Brevard County has reached 48 confirmations, with at least five of those travel related, and the doubling of those on mechanical ventilation over the past 48 hours.
