Walton County COVID19 Updates

I hope everyone will stay at home as much as possible, there are 14,366 confirmed cases in the US already, I hope it won't be another Wuhan China.

"We have reservations for a weeks' stay exactly 31 days from now in a single-family home in a quiet Dune Allen neighborhood. We will be driving if we can still come, three women and a dog. We do not want to put any locals at risk. We would like to sit on our porch, walk the beach (not with the dog) and eat some good seafood, even if it only involves takeout. We would probably need a run through Publix, but otherwise no need to shop. Does this sound reasonable and doable? Renting through Dune Allen. They haven't posted or sent any updates on rescheduling folks and the reservation is supposed to be non-refundable. (I did see that another company is allowing date changes through the end of the year)"
EMILY: PLEASE DON'T COME TO THE BEACH!!!!!!!

Alys Beach:

We have continued to monitor all information available to us concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and have determined that it is in the best interest of everyone to cease all vacation rentals effective Saturday, March 21 for the next thirty days.

We are offering full refunds to guests should they choose to completely cancel their existing reservation, or we will be happy to assist them with rebooking their reservation at a later date if they would like to transfer their deposit to a new reservation. No new reservations will be accepted for this 30 day period. However, we will be taking reservations for after April 19 (subject to change depending on the current situation).

This morning, the Walton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to effectively close all public beaches immediately. In support of this decision by the BCC and other 30A communities, we will be closing our beaches at sunset on Friday, March 20 in the interest of public safety.

Alys Beach amenities and outlets have been closed until further notice or have been updated as follows:

• Alys Beach Vacation Rentals
• Caliza Restaurant
• Caliza Pool
• NEAT Bottle Shop and Tasting Room (closed for a minimum of thirty days)
• ZUMA Wellness Center, including basketball and tennis courts
• Piper's Kitchen
• Alys Shoppe
• The Bike Shop
• Beach Service and Recreation activities
• Amphitheatre Splash Pad
• Alys Beach Real Estate Sales will remain open at this time; hours to be determined.
• Spring events and programming, including Digital Graffiti, have been suspended or postponed.
• Alys Beach will be implementing a 10:00 p.m. curfew starting Tuesday, March 17 for nonresident minors to prevent congregating throughout property.

It has been said, but please know that the safety and well-being of our community is our top priority. We will continue to do our best to be supportive as we navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and adjust our services and actions in respect to the health and safety of all. We have been developing contingency plans as this situation has evolved over the last two weeks and will continue to communicate changes as they unfold.

"We have reservations for a weeks' stay exactly 31 days from now in a single-family home in a quiet Dune Allen neighborhood. We will be driving if we can still come, three women and a dog. We do not want to put any locals at risk. We would like to sit on our porch, walk the beach (not with the dog) and eat some good seafood, even if it only involves takeout. We would probably need a run through Publix, but otherwise no need to shop. Does this sound reasonable and doable? Renting through Dune Allen. They haven't posted or sent any updates on rescheduling folks and the reservation is supposed to be non-refundable. (I did see that another company is allowing date changes through the end of the year)"
EMILY: PLEASE DON'T COME TO THE BEACH!!!!!!!

Response: We are going to wait and come in the fall to keep everyone safe. I think y'all are going to want/need considerate tourists like us to come support your local businesses again down the road. I feel bad for the local businesses here and there that aren't going to survive, and tourism is going to be especially hard hit. (We will never be renting golf carts to cruise 30A or leaving trash/gear on the beach!)

Thank you for being reasonable and responsible.
As a local,I have established a savings account where money we would have spent on entertainment and eating out will be deposited (along with any money Uncle Sam may send). When this is over, every dime will be spent supporting local businesses that are being effected by this horrendous event.
Thanks again for your understanding!

"We have reservations for a weeks' stay exactly 31 days from now in a single-family home in a quiet Dune Allen neighborhood. We will be driving if we can still come, three women and a dog. We do not want to put any locals at risk. We would like to sit on our porch, walk the beach (not with the dog) and eat some good seafood, even if it only involves takeout. We would probably need a run through Publix, but otherwise no need to shop. Does this sound reasonable and doable? Renting through Dune Allen. They haven't posted or sent any updates on rescheduling folks and the reservation is supposed to be non-refundable. (I did see that another company is allowing date changes through the end of the year)"
EMILY: PLEASE DON'T COME TO THE BEACH!!!!!!!

Response: We are going to wait and come in the fall to keep everyone safe. I think y'all are going to want/need considerate tourists like us to come support your local businesses again down the road. I feel bad for the local businesses here and there that aren't going to survive, and tourism is going to be especially hard hit. (We will never be renting golf carts to cruise 30A or leaving trash/gear on the beach!)

Emily, good morning. While I would not quite have responded the way Mr Sunshine did, the underlying sentiment would have been the same. If you could see what is going on here right now....it's crazy. Literally thousands of teenagers swarming all over Seaside, Rosemary Beach, all up and down 30A. Given the current situation, it's quite an incredible sight. Many are hoping that with the beach closures, it will stem the flow of Spring Breakers, who seem determined to vacation no matter what. While it is terrible for the local economy, it is a necessary measure. You seem like a very nice, reasonable, considerate person. I hope that more visitors to our area will take a page from your book.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is keeping a close watch on all updates regarding COVID-19, just as you are. The health and safety of our guests and staff are and continue to be our top priority. In light of this, we will follow the guidelines set forth by officials from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and the Florida Department of Health (DOH).

We are open! Our private beaches remain open offering plenty of sunshine and saltwater along with the Beach House and Bayside pools. We are spacing out our beach set-ups and pool chairs and enforcing social distancing throughout the resort.

At Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, we believe in safe, responsible travel. Here is what we are doing regarding COVID-19:

• We are committed to upholding the highest levels of cleanliness and sanitation. Our staff is highly trained in cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting all common areas and private guestrooms, and is increasing the frequency of cleaning these, as well as commonly touched surfaces such as handrails, doorknobs, elevator buttons, remote controls, telephones, keyboards, etc.
• Our restaurants remain open with spacious seating. We are taking additional precautions with enhanced sanitization protocols as well as adhering to the governor’s order to limit capacity to 50%. Many restaurants are offering take-out service.

As the status continues to unfold and the CDC, WHO and DOH continue to publish updates, we urge you to use your best judgment for your own safety and that of others during this time of uncertainty. We want to reassure you that we are taking precautions and enforcing measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

As for our restaurants and bars on property, we continue to implement the utmost level of hygiene and sanitation practices. All our staff members are adhering to stringent rules and policies, such as frequent handwashing.

As we navigate this difficult time, we urge you to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding planning your beach vacation at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. We hope you return soon.

Sandestin resort should be ashamed of themselves for not closing down everything

Sandestin resort should be ashamed of themselves for not closing down everything

Hard to disagree with this. As long as they remain open, they are encouraging people to come. Disgraceful under the current circumstances.

Emily, good morning. While I would not quite have responded the way Mr Sunshine did, the underlying sentiment would have been the same. If you could see what is going on here right now....it's crazy. Literally thousands of teenagers swarming all over Seaside, Rosemary Beach, all up and down 30A. Given the current situation, it's quite an incredible sight. Many are hoping that with the beach closures, it will stem the flow of Spring Breakers, who seem determined to vacation no matter what. While it is terrible for the local economy, it is a necessary measure. You seem like a very nice, reasonable, considerate person. I hope that more visitors to our area will take a page from your book.

A worker in Seaside this morning said Seaside was a ghost town last night. There was an 8pm curfew for the town so that may account for it because yesterday during the day it was crowded in town. It was quiet this morning but I was there about 730. Usually there are a lot of early risers and exercisers but mostly the town is quiet until after 10.