Pinellas County Ordered To Stay Home To Fight Spread of COVID-19

In an effort to fight and prevent the ongoing spread of COVID-19, Pinellas County is under orders to stay home as much as possible.  The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners approved a “Safer-At-Home” resolution that went into effect on March 26, 2020.

The order closes all county beaches but allows Pinellas County’s one million residents to patronize businesses for essential activities like buying groceries and refilling prescriptions.  The Safer-At-Home order also allows residents to visit nonessential businesses, as long as social distancing standards set by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are followed.

To maintain CDC standards, all businesses must post signage indicating how the six-foot social distancing rule and mass gathering restrictions are being enforced.  Businesses must also post a phone number for residents to call and report if those standards are not being followed.  The Safer-At-Home Order was intended to last one week and expire on April 2, 2020.

Statewide Stay at Home Order Issued for Florida

In the wake of positive coronavirus cases multiplying across the state, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a statewide 30-day Stay-At-Home order to begin on April 3, 2020.  Currently, there are more than 7,000 cases of coronavirus in Florida with more than 100 fatalities.  In Pinellas County, the Florida Department of Health reports 170 coronavirus cases with five deaths so far.  Following Gov. DeSantis’ Executive Order, Pinellas County Commissioners met April 2, 2020 and extended their safer-at-home resolution for another seven days.  They are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

To read more about Pinellas County’s safer-at home order, visit: https://pinellascounty.org/

 Key Takeaways of Pinellas County Safer-At-Home Order

●    When did the Order go into place?

The Order for Pinellas County went into effect on March 26, 2020 and was extended on April 2, 2020.  The statewide Executive Order from Gov. DeSantis went into effect on April 3, 2020.

●    When will the Order be lifted?

Currently, the countywide Order will be lifted on April 9, 2020 but is likely to be extended. The statewide Order is scheduled to lift on April 30, 2020.

●    What are the violations and penalties associated with the Order?

Violators in Pinellas County can be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor and face 60 days in jail with fines up to $500.

●    What kind of Order is it?

Pinellas County is under the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioner’ Order; the state of Florida is under the Governor’s Executive Order.

●    What are the essential businesses?

Businesses include healthcare providers, banks, grocery stores, gas stations, and those that provide legal, shelter, mailing, and childcare services.

The full list of essential businesses that will remain open can be found here.

Pinellas County residents are encouraged to stay home and wait as long as possible before going out to buy food, medicine, or household items.  Those with pre-existing conditions and who are at a higher risk of contracting the virus should especially be quarantined and stay at home.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Marsalisi Law

Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi is here for the communities of St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay.  Because personal attention is a hallmark of Marsalis Law, nothing is more important than building personal relationships with his clients and community.  If you’re facing injuries during these trying times, call Frank for help.  As an essential service, his offices remain open, and he continues to offer personalized and compassionate legal counsel and representation to those suffering injuries.

To speak with Frank over the phone or other audio-video communications for a free consultation, call him at (727) 800-5052 or complete an online contact form today.

Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal.