COVID-19 Update #9
City of Fort Pierce
Contact: 772.465.4170
March 31, 2020, 5:30 PM
Website: www.cityoffortpierce.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ftpierce
City of Fort Pierce officials continue to urge residents and visitors to abide by social distancing guidelines and preventative measures set forth by the CDC during this critical time: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY’S SAFER AT HOME ORDER
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Fort Pierce reminds residents that they are safer at home. To further this effort, St. Lucie County Administrator Howard Tipton executed a Safer at Home Order today, which:
- Encourages citizens to stay at home as much as possible during the continued COVID-19 crisis and allows travel outside the home to essential activities (e.g. grocery shopping, outdoor activities, doctor and pharmacy visits, and providing essential structure and utility services)
- Allows non-essential activities, so long as social distancing and other CDC Public Health Mitigation Strategies requirements are followed
- Is less restrictive than total lockdowns or shelter-in-place regulations, which prohibit movement outside of the home or a particular location until further notice
To view the Safer at Home Order, visit: http://www.cityoffortpierce.com/DocumentCenter/View/7721/SLC-Safer-At-Home-Order-3-31-20.
SPECIAL EVENTS
As of today, all City of Fort Pierce special event permits are canceled through April 30. In addition, all shows and rentals at the Sunrise Theatre are also canceled or postponed through April 30.
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Temporary Use of Right-of-Way for Businesses
To assist local businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19, the City of Fort Pierce will allow temporary use of the right-of-way as a short-term pick up or drop-off zone. Restaurants that have transitioned to takeout and delivery only will be allowed to utilize the right-of-way for takeout pickup and delivery. These zones will be restricted to 10-minute parking to increase convenience for the quick pickup and delivery and provide adequate room for social distancing of six feet or more. Businesses that would like to apply for this free, temporary permit can do so online at: https://cityoffortpierce.com/163/Permits.
St. Lucie Economic Development Council Web Portal
In an effort to keep businesses informed with the most current information available to assist your business and employees during this challenging time, the St. Lucie Economic Development Council established a COVID-19 Business Assistance Resource Web Portal. This tool was developed to provide all federal, state and local resources in one place. The web portal can be viewed on the EDC website at www.youredc.com.
Small Business Administration
Visit the Small Business Administration website at www.sba.gov for a host of small business guidance and resources including: Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance, SBA Debt Relief, SBA Express Bridge Loans, Guidance for Businesses and Employers and more.
SCHOOLS
St. Lucie Public Schools campuses remain closed through May 1, 2020. All state assessments have been canceled for this school year.
St. Lucie Public Schools Child Nutrition Services Department will serve free meals to children in St. Lucie County from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday – Friday. Click here for a list of locations: https://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/blog/free-meals-for-children-starting-on-march-23rd/.
SLC PUBLIC INFORMATION HOTLINE
St. Lucie County’s Emergency Management staff is expanding the hours of operations for the Public Information Hotline to help residents answer general questions about local government efforts relating to COVID-19. That number is 772-460-HELP (4357). The Public Information Lines will be operational Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
CITY OPERATIONS
City Hall remains closed to the public until further notice. Essential services like police, solid waste and utilities are not impacted. City of Fort Pierce staff continue to serve the public during this closure via phone, email and online services. The building department is open to by appointment only, please call: 772-467-3199. For a full staff directory, visit: http://www.cityoffortpierce.com/Directory.aspx?DID=5.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Residents may engage in outdoor activity and recreation in wide-open areas not otherwise closed to the public, while maintaining social distancing.
All City of Fort Pierce beaches are closed, including South Causeway Park and Jaycee Park. All other city parks remain open at this time
The boat ramps at Jaycee Park and Fisherman’s Wharf are open
The Indian Hills Golf Course is open
COMMUNICATION
We are committed to keeping our residents safe and informed - all public notices will be provided on the city’s website, social media channels and Fort Pierce TV Channel 27. Residents may subscribe to receive updates through the “COVID-19 Information” alert center on the city’s website: www.cityoffortpierce.com. Archived updates are also available on the city’s website.