This topic came up in the Covid-19 thread. Prior to issuing the state-wide Stay At Home order for all of Florida which took effect Thursday night, Governor De Santis issued a two week ban on vacation rentals on March 28th, which is currently set to expire on April 11th. The circumstances on the ground have significantly changed since the initial Vacation Rental ban was issued, including the Governor issuing the state-wide Stay At Home order.
I am assuming that the Vacation Rental ban will be extended until at least April 30th, to mirror the Stay At Home order for Floridians? Otherwise, we would find ourselves in a farcical situation where we are being told to stay at home, but people can come here from out of state to have a vacation; apart from the obvious ridiculousness of that scenario, a failure to extend the Vacation Rental ban is only going to encourage people to come here, which is exactly what the county is trying to prevent and for good reason.
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Beach Fanatic
For more information or if you have any questions, please call Walton County's COVID-19 hotline at (850) 892-8392.
Beach Comber
Are you saying that on the day a state reports 700k, then vacationers from that state cannot arrive here for 45 days? Does anybody have a site where they give the current case numbers state by state? My moral dilemmas keep compounding day by day. It would be great to have some definitive word before I break some people's hearts.
It's 700 cases per 100k residents having active cases. Not 700k active cases. LA was at 724 yesterday. There are I believe 8 states popping the number right now.
Here's where it gets fun, there's not a specific list of where to get this for each state. I would just use worldometer for a quick check and if it's close call the county reps.
As of today NY, NJ, MA, RI, CT, DC, DL, IL, LA, MY are all out.
Nebraska and Michigan look to cross soon going up and LA going down.
SoWal Insider
It's 700 cases per 100k residents having active cases. Not 700k active cases. LA was at 724 yesterday. There are I believe 8 states popping the number right now.
Here's where it gets fun, there's not a specific list of where to get this for each state. I would just use worldometer for a quick check and if it's close call the county reps.
As of today NY, NJ, MA, RI, CT, DC, DL, IL, LA, MY are all out.
Nebraska and Michigan look to cross soon going up and LA going down.
Very good information. Thanks. I really tried to do the math on this, and got bogged down. Drinking another beer didn't help at all. I just am curious how we stack up on this 700 cases per 100k residents. I have vacationers that really badly want to come here from Louisiana (not New Orleans) and Illinois (Not Chicago) who have had reservations for three or four months. Must have real statistics before I break their hearts.
Edited
SoWal Guide
Does the CDC clearly define states that are hotspot states? Are those four above the ones we are specifically not suppose to rent to? The map I saw on the CDC website was vague. It showed hotspots in every single state and i guess the diameter of the circles is suppose to tell you how many cases were in each state, but it would be whole lot more helpful if it showed the regions in which states were hard hit.I don't know. These are the states listed. Doesn't make much sense. Especially for enforcement. What happened to the 14 day quarantine? Which was also a half measure, unenforceable and used up a lot of law enforcement resources while stopping traffic coming into Florida.
Beach Fanatic
#811
It's 700 cases per 100k residents having active cases. Not 700k active cases. LA was at 724 yesterday. There are I believe 8 states popping the number right now.
Here's where it gets fun, there's not a specific list of where to get this for each state. I would just use worldometer for a quick check and if it's close call the county reps.
As of today NY, NJ, MA, RI, CT, DC, DL, IL, LA, MY are all out.
Nebraska and Michigan look to cross soon going up and LA going down.
once again it’s left to me to ask the questions no one else has the courage to ask. What state is MY? I can’t tell anymore what is an honest mistake or what is disinformation intended to pop my circuits and fragment my mind. I mistrust everything I read and see and hear. I’m changing MY avatar defensively to reflect this suddenly altered reality. MY message to everyone!
SoWal Insider
once again it’s left to me to ask the questions no one else has the courage to ask. What state is MY? I can’t tell anymore what is an honest mistake or what is disinformation intended to pop my circuits and fragment my mind. I mistrust everything I read and see and hear. I’m changing MY avatar defensively to reflect this suddenly altered reality. MY message to everyone!View attachment 83854That jumped out at me, also. Some of the rest of that post sounded so realistic but now I have to question all of it. Maryland is MD, but so is doctor... so confusing.
Admin
Are you saying that on the day a state reports 700k, then vacationers from that state cannot arrive here for 45 days? Does anybody have a site where they give the current case numbers state by state? My moral dilemmas keep compounding day by day. It would be great to have some definitive word before I break some people's hearts.CDC COVID Data Tracker
Beach Lover
Beach Comber
I don't know. These are the states listed. Doesn't make much sense. Especially for enforcement. What happened to the 14 day quarantine? Which was also a half measure, unenforceable and used up a lot of law enforcement resources while stopping traffic coming into Florida.
Would assume those traffic checks last about as long as the first time they happened, 24 hours or so (my guess). They chose to use the reservation ban in lieu of the quarantine. It's a lot harder to enforce that than somewhere like Hawaii short of using ankle monitors.
Beach Comber
You can see activity on waze at the Georgia border, but not Alabama as of about 8am this morning. This extends to Hwy301 as well.
SoWal Guide
Visit South Walton TDC
What To Know Before Visiting South Walton
For those visiting South Walton, please be advised that there will be some restrictions in place. CLICK HERE to learn how you can keep your family and the South Walton community safe.
Stay up-to-date on all COVID-19 travel updates to South Walton: COVID-19 Travel Updates
What To Know Before Visiting South Walton
For those visiting South Walton, please be advised that there will be some restrictions in place. CLICK HERE to learn how you can keep your family and the South Walton community safe.
Stay up-to-date on all COVID-19 travel updates to South Walton: COVID-19 Travel Updates
Admin
Based on the governor’s executive order there will no longer be any COVID-19-related restrictions on visitors coming from Louisiana, starting Friday, June 5th.
..............................................................................................
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-139
(Phase 2: Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery)
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a state of emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on April 29, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-112 initiating Phase 1 of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery; and
WHEREAS, on May 14, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-123 for Full Phase 1.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section (l)(a) of the Florida Constitution and Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order:
Section 1. Phase 2 Recovery
In concert with the efforts of President Donald J. Trump, and based on guidance provided by the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Florida Surgeon General and State Health Officer, I hereby adopt the following in response to the recommendations in Phase 2 of the plan published by the Task Force to Re-Open Florida.
All persons in Florida are encouraged to follow appropriate social distancing and safety protocols issued by the CDC and OSHA. The direction to follow such protocols, and those additional protocols listed below in this section, is guidance and not enforceable under section 252.47, Florida Statutes.
Executive Orders 20-80 and 20-82 are extended with exceptions for persons involved in commercial activity and students traveling for the purpose of academic work, internships, sports training and any other activity or program approved by the educational institution. This order supersedes Executive Order 20-86.
Section 4. Business Activity
This order supersedes Executive Orders 20-91 and 20-92 and Executive Order 20-112 Section 2. This order further supersedes any conflicting provisions of Executive Order 20-112 including Section 3C. (gyms) and Section 4 (retail and museums) and Executive Order 20-123 including Section 1.B. (retail), C.(museums) and D. (gyms). This order extends and modifies the remaining provisions of Executive Order 20-112 and Executive Order 20-123 as follows:
Executive Order 20-69 is extended until June 30, 2020.
Section 7. Enforcement
This order, with the exception of Section 2, shall be enforced under section 252.47, Florida Statutes, and by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Violation of this order is a second-degree misdemeanor pursuant to section 252.50, Florida Statutes, and is punishable by imprisonment not to exceed 60 days, a fine not to exceed $500, or both.
Section 8. Effective Date
This order is effective at 12:01 a.m. on June 5, 2020.
..............................................................................................
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-139
(Phase 2: Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery)
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a state of emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on April 29, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-112 initiating Phase 1 of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery; and
WHEREAS, on May 14, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-123 for Full Phase 1.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section (l)(a) of the Florida Constitution and Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order:
Section 1. Phase 2 Recovery
In concert with the efforts of President Donald J. Trump, and based on guidance provided by the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Florida Surgeon General and State Health Officer, I hereby adopt the following in response to the recommendations in Phase 2 of the plan published by the Task Force to Re-Open Florida.
- Executive Order 20-112, as modified by Executive Orders 20-120, 20-122, 20-123 and 20-131, is extended as further modified below.
- In Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, the re-opening provisions of Section 4 of this order will be considered after each county seeks approval with a written request from the County Mayor or if no mayor the County Administrator.
All persons in Florida are encouraged to follow appropriate social distancing and safety protocols issued by the CDC and OSHA. The direction to follow such protocols, and those additional protocols listed below in this section, is guidance and not enforceable under section 252.47, Florida Statutes.
- Senior citizens and individuals with a significant underlying medical condition are strongly encouraged to avoid crowds and take measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
- All persons in Florida are encouraged to avoid congregating in groups larger than 50 persons.
- All persons who work in long-term care facilities should be tested for COVID-19 on a routine basis.
- In-store retail businesses, including gyms and fitness centers, should maintain appropriate social distancing and sanitation protocols.
Executive Orders 20-80 and 20-82 are extended with exceptions for persons involved in commercial activity and students traveling for the purpose of academic work, internships, sports training and any other activity or program approved by the educational institution. This order supersedes Executive Order 20-86.
Section 4. Business Activity
This order supersedes Executive Orders 20-91 and 20-92 and Executive Order 20-112 Section 2. This order further supersedes any conflicting provisions of Executive Order 20-112 including Section 3C. (gyms) and Section 4 (retail and museums) and Executive Order 20-123 including Section 1.B. (retail), C.(museums) and D. (gyms). This order extends and modifies the remaining provisions of Executive Order 20-112 and Executive Order 20-123 as follows:
- Restaurants and other establishments, and bars and other vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, may operate at fifty (50) percent of their indoor capacity, excluding employees, as under Executive Order 20-123, Section 1. Bar areas may be open with seated service. In addition, outdoor seating is permissible with appropriate social distancing. This section does not apply to nightclubs. Non-conflicting provisions in Executive Order 20-71, Sections 1 and 2 remain in effect.
- Entertainment businesses, including but not limited to movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys, and arcades may operate at fifty (50) percent of their building capacity, with appropriate social distancing between groups and appropriate sanitation.
- Pari-mutuel facilities may seek to operate with a written request from the County Mayor or if no mayor the County Administrator to the Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the approval of the DBPR Secretary.
- Personal services, including but not limited to tattooing, body piercing, acupuncture, tanning and massage, may operate with appropriate safety guidelines as outlined by the Department of Health.
Executive Order 20-69 is extended until June 30, 2020.
Section 7. Enforcement
This order, with the exception of Section 2, shall be enforced under section 252.47, Florida Statutes, and by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Violation of this order is a second-degree misdemeanor pursuant to section 252.50, Florida Statutes, and is punishable by imprisonment not to exceed 60 days, a fine not to exceed $500, or both.
Section 8. Effective Date
This order is effective at 12:01 a.m. on June 5, 2020.
Admin
According to Walton Tourist Development Council, Tourist Development Tax* collection showed an 85.23% decrease in South Walton for April 2020 compared with the previous year. This decrease can be directly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the governor's ban on vacation rentals.
According to local vacation rental management companies and other data, bookings for June and the rest of summer are higher than the same period last year.
* The Tourist Development Tax, or bed tax, is a five percent tax collected on hotels, condos and other short term rentals. It is the best way to gauge visitation and demand trends in South Walton. The revenue supports tourism marketing and beach operations including cleaning and maintaining beaches, lifeguards, destination improvements and preservation initiatives.
According to local vacation rental management companies and other data, bookings for June and the rest of summer are higher than the same period last year.
* The Tourist Development Tax, or bed tax, is a five percent tax collected on hotels, condos and other short term rentals. It is the best way to gauge visitation and demand trends in South Walton. The revenue supports tourism marketing and beach operations including cleaning and maintaining beaches, lifeguards, destination improvements and preservation initiatives.
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