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KEYS TOURISM ADVISORY March 19, 2020 • 7 p.m.
News and information from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council
Keys Lodging Businesses Directed to Close
at 6 p.m., Sunday, March 22
Citing concerns about increasing coronavirus threats, Monroe County officials late Thursday announced plans to close the island destination to visitors beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 22. Florida Keys lodging businesses are directed to close at that time.
The only exception is for long-term renters in vacation homes and R/V parks with contracts of 28 days or more, who are presently in the Keys. They are to be allowed to remain until the conclusion of their contracts.
Hotels are directed to stop taking new reservations effective immediately, officials said. Officials said they will re-evaluate the tourism closures and make changes when appropriate.
The County has already seen a steady decline in visitor flow, even though there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Keys, according to Bob Eadie, the administrator and health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County.
“We know that closing down the tourism industry is a major inconvenience for our visitors,” said Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers. “But the health and safety of our visitors and residents are paramount.
“We certainly hope our visitors will return to the Keys once the coronavirus crisis has passed,” she added. “We also understand the economic impacts all Keys businesses and families will likely face.”
Carruthers said that Monroe County continues to follow the directives of the Centers for Disease Control, the Florida Department of Health, and State of Florida Governor’s Office Executive Orders.
The County will continue to allow restaurants to operate at 50 percent capacity to serve residents who are in the Florida Keys as long as the State of Florida directives for spacing and capacity are being followed. The City of Key West is not permitting any sit-down restaurant dining on the island. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is responsible for enforcing the restaurant and bar mandates.
The County will continue to keep its county-owned parks and beaches open because County officials see them as spaces where residents can practice social distancing that is productive for mental and physical health. Users must follow the directive of the State that says all congregating must be done in small groups of less than 10 people. Law enforcement is patrolling all areas on a regular basis. County-owned playgrounds are being sanitized twice daily.
The City of Marathon has closed all city beaches; Key West's Smathers Beach is closed as well. Additional directives regarding beaches, restaurants and parks are likely to come
News and information from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council
Keys Lodging Businesses Directed to Close
at 6 p.m., Sunday, March 22
Citing concerns about increasing coronavirus threats, Monroe County officials late Thursday announced plans to close the island destination to visitors beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 22. Florida Keys lodging businesses are directed to close at that time.
The only exception is for long-term renters in vacation homes and R/V parks with contracts of 28 days or more, who are presently in the Keys. They are to be allowed to remain until the conclusion of their contracts.
Hotels are directed to stop taking new reservations effective immediately, officials said. Officials said they will re-evaluate the tourism closures and make changes when appropriate.
The County has already seen a steady decline in visitor flow, even though there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Keys, according to Bob Eadie, the administrator and health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County.
“We know that closing down the tourism industry is a major inconvenience for our visitors,” said Monroe County Mayor Heather Carruthers. “But the health and safety of our visitors and residents are paramount.
“We certainly hope our visitors will return to the Keys once the coronavirus crisis has passed,” she added. “We also understand the economic impacts all Keys businesses and families will likely face.”
Carruthers said that Monroe County continues to follow the directives of the Centers for Disease Control, the Florida Department of Health, and State of Florida Governor’s Office Executive Orders.
The County will continue to allow restaurants to operate at 50 percent capacity to serve residents who are in the Florida Keys as long as the State of Florida directives for spacing and capacity are being followed. The City of Key West is not permitting any sit-down restaurant dining on the island. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is responsible for enforcing the restaurant and bar mandates.
The County will continue to keep its county-owned parks and beaches open because County officials see them as spaces where residents can practice social distancing that is productive for mental and physical health. Users must follow the directive of the State that says all congregating must be done in small groups of less than 10 people. Law enforcement is patrolling all areas on a regular basis. County-owned playgrounds are being sanitized twice daily.
The City of Marathon has closed all city beaches; Key West's Smathers Beach is closed as well. Additional directives regarding beaches, restaurants and parks are likely to come
