SPECIAL BRIEFING FROM THE FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION
| Florida Sheriffs and the Impact of COVID-19 Fellow Citizens, As coronavirus continues to impact our world, the Florida Sheriffs Association wants you to know that the safety of our citizens remains our top priority. We hope you have taken the necessary precautions recommended by local health officials to ensure your well-being. FSA and the Sheriffs have been coordinating on the COVID-19 outbreak efforts from the beginning. We have hosted calls with the White House, the Governor, and Senator Rick Scott, as well as many Florida state agencies and partners to improve law enforcement’s response to this outbreak. The Florida Sheriffs Association has staffed the ESF-16 desk (law enforcement) of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) since March 7. Our staff at the SEOC remains the central point of contact for any emergency activities regarding COVID-19 and any law enforcement coordination that must be done at the state level. Sheriffs operate under a mutual aid agreement that allows sheriffs to help sheriffs without any mandate from the state. And because of this independence, sheriffs have been and will continue to assist other sheriffs. An Inside Look at Jails and COVID-19 Most sheriffs run jails, which are temporary holding facilities for people charged with crimes, those awaiting trial and persons serving time for misdemeanors. During this public health emergency, locally operated jails have stopped visitors from entering the facilities to reduce exposure to these often dense population centers. If introduced to a jail, the virus will be hard to stop – putting corrections officers’ health and safety at risk, as well as those inmates in jail. Sheriffs will continue to do what they can to protect the men and women who work in jails and the inmates in their custody. Jails have put measures in place to screen new inmates and can isolate inmates who may show early signs of the virus. Take Action: What Sheriffs Need The orders issued by the State of Florida, guidance from the Federal Government to Stop the Spread, and any local orders should also be followed. President Trump launched the Stop the Spread campaign on March 16, which includes limiting gatherings to fewer than 10 people. Sheriffs ask that you listen to these instructions to keep you, your family and the first responders safe during this public health emergency. Everyone must to do their part to get through this. The best source of information for the COVID-19 in Florida is the Department of Health. The Centers for Disease Control has the most up to date information for the U.S. You can find the most up to date information about Florida’s sheriffs at flsheriffs.org. Sincerely, Steve Casey Executive Director © 2020 Florida Sheriffs Association 2617 Mahan Drive Tallahassee, FL 32308 P: (800) 877-2168 Protecting, Leading & Uniting Since 1893 VISIT FLSHERIFFS.ORG |
state of florida, office of the governor, Executive order number 20-87
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-87
(Emergency Management – COVID-19 – Vacation Rental Closures)
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-51 directing the Florida Department of Health to issue a Public Health Emergency; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer declared a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and
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 March 16, 2020, President Donald J. Trump and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) issued the “15 Days to Slow the Spread” guidance advising individuals to adopt far-reaching social distancing measures; and
WHEREAS, the CDC has cautioned against non-essential travel within the United States; and
WHEREAS, Florida is experiencing an increase in individuals fleeing to Florida from out-of-state locations where “shelter-in-place” orders are being implemented and/or community spread exists; and
WHEREAS, many cases of COVID-19 in Florida have resulted from individuals coming into the State of Florida from international travel and other states, posing great risk to Florida residents; and
WHEREAS, vacation rentals and third-party platforms advertising vacation rentals in Florida present attractive lodging destinations for individuals coming into Florida; and
WHEREAS, as Governor, I am responsible for meeting the dangers presented to this state and its people by this emergency.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section (1)(a) of the Florida Constitution, Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order to take immediate effect:
Section 1. Vacation Rentals
I hereby order all parties engaged in rental of vacation rental properties, as defined in section 509.242(1)(c), Florida Statutes, to suspend vacation rental operations. Vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in for the duration of this order. This directive shall include the:
A. Rental of any house, condominium, cooperative, or dwelling unit that is also a transient public lodging establishment, as defined under Section 509.013(4)(a), Florida Statutes; and
i. Which is rented for periods of
less than 30 days or 1 calendar month, whichever is less; or
ii. Which is advertised or held out to the public as a place regularly rented
to guests; or
iii. Which is otherwise regulated by the Department of Business and Professional
Regulation (“DBPR”) as a vacation rental pursuant to section 509.241, Florida
Statutes.
B. This directive shall not include the following:
i. Hotels, motels, inns, resorts,
non-transient public lodging establishments, or time share projects; or
ii. Long-term rentals; or
iii. Rental stays where guests are currently staying in a vacation rental or
have previously booked a stay and are schedule to check-in no later than March
28, 2020; or
iv. Rentals to persons performing military, emergency, governmental, health or
infrastructure response, or travelers engaged in non-vacation commercial
activities.
Section 2. Violations of the Order
A. DBPR shall supplement this directive with guidance or directives as necessary to implement the order and shall take steps necessary to inspect licensed properties or third-party platforms whereby Florida vacation rentals may be advertised.
B. DBPR shall revoke the vacation rental license of any party that violates this order or otherwise advertises vacation rental opportunities during the duration of this order; and
C. DBPR shall alert the state authorities to evidence of violations or attempts to violate this order; and
D. Parties that violate this order or attempt to violate the order through advertising or other means of solicitation may be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable as provided in Sections 775.082 or 775.083, Fla. Stat.
Section 3. This Executive Order shall expire in 14 days unless extended by subsequent order.
Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission
