NORTHEAST FLORIDA, SOUTHEAST GEORGIA — More than 32,100 people in Florida and 24,200 people in Georgia have been infected with the new coronavirus, and the number of deaths from the outbreak continues to rise. Officials are attempting to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia as schools, businesses and public events are closed or canceled.
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NOTE: As new information related to the coronavirus comes in regarding Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, we will update this story. Please read the entire article for the latest information from April 28.
Nassau County to present plan to open its beaches
April 28, 4:30 p.m.: Nassau County staff is developing a new procedure to re-open County beaches for normal activities (excluding beach driving, camping, horseback riding and commercial activities) while following Centers for Disease Control guidelines and other restrictions, according to a news release from the county.
This would include requirements to maintain social distancing and to limit groups to no more than 10 individuals, and any other restrictions deemed necessary to protect the health of the residents.
In an effort to prevent overcrowding, the County Manager will also be recommending that only individuals with Nassau County registered vehicles be allowed to use the beach access parking areas. Vehicles not registered in Nassau County would be subject to a $500 fine.
This plan will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners at its Special Meeting on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Additional details will follow if the Board votes to proceed with a complete re-opening on Friday, May 1.
Mayor Lenny Curry says beaches to open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting Monday with restrictions
April 28, 12 p.m.: On Tuesday, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced that beaches will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. for exercise only (walking, biking, hiking, fishing, running, swimming, walking pets and surfing) beginning Monday.
Reminder: Only activities consistent with social distancing guidelines are allowed: walking, biking, hiking, fishing, running, swimming, walking pets & surfing.
— City of Jacksonville (COJ) (@CityofJax) April 28, 2020
No congregating on walkways or crossovers, sunbathing, towels, blankets, chairs, coolers, or grills are allowed. (2/2)
Curry also signed a $160 million stimulus bill. Included in this bill, 40,000 families will be given $1,000 which will be loaded onto a card. Applications are scheduled to begin next week.
The funding for this comes from $160 million the county received as part of the federal CARES Act program.
The other $120 million in the stimulus bill includes:
- $12.5 million for the City’s emergency relief fund.
- $20 million for city-owned or operating facilities.
- $25 million to make up for lost tax revenues to the city from COVID-19.
- $26 million small business relief money.
- $35 million for COVID-19 testing.
Additionally, Curry said he can’t make a decision on the reopening of lodging until Thursday because it falls under Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Safer At Home order. Curry said he will be able to make decision if/when the governor’s order expires on Thursday, April 30.
To clarify some information on the amending of the Executive Order concerning non-essential lodgers: Hotels, motels, commercial lodging, etc. can begin taking reservations for non-essential stays starting on Monday, May 4th. #JaxInThisTogether pic.twitter.com/6EteDjbjXU
— City of Jacksonville (COJ) (@CityofJax) April 29, 2020
JTA will shift transit operations to Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla on Monday
April 28, 10 a.m.: The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) will transition most fixedroute bus operations from the Rosa Parks Transit Station to the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla (JRTC) on Monday.
We are happy to share that on Monday, May 4, the JTA will relocate most bus routes to the new Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla – with social distancing and other safety measures in place.
— JTAFLA (@JTAFLA) April 28, 2020
MORE: https://t.co/ExFVDPfD0f pic.twitter.com/pJoXQqtmzH
JTA administrative offices will remain closed to visitors and all non-essential JTA administrative personnel will continue to follow “Safer at Home” orders, allowing those employees to continue teleworking from home.
The JRTC at LaVilla is located at 100 LaVilla Center Drive near the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center. It will serve as the JTA’s new downtown bus transfer facility, administrative headquarters and intermodal hub with direct connections to the Skyway and the Intercity Bus Terminal, which serves Greyhound, Megabus and RedCoach lines.
On Monday, the JRTC at LaVilla will replace the Rosa Parks Transit Station as the JTA’s main downtown bus transfer facility, serving most JTA regular and express bus routes, the Skyway and the First Coast Flyer Bus Rapid Transit network.
With the safety and well-being of all customers, JTA employees and the general public in mind, all JTA bus routes will continue to operate on a modified weekday schedule to promote social distancing and to ensure safe travel for everyone.
A new JRTC Hotline is open to help customers navigate the new terminal, and to answer any questions about changes to their routes. Customers can call the JRTC Hotline at (904) 598-8737. For any other issues, customers should continue to call JTA Customer Service at (904) 630-3100.
The JRTC at LaVilla will serve:
- JTA Bus Routes: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, 32, 33 and 53
- First Coast Flyer Green Line (102), Blue Line (107) and Red Line (109)
- JTA Express Routes: Mandarin (200), Clay Regional (201) and Beaches (205)
Florida PSC approves accelerated electric bill reductions
April 28, 10 a.m.: The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved accelerated bill reductions for customers to assist with the economic effects of COVID-19.
As a result of the approval, customers of Florida Power and Light Company (FPL), Duke Energy Florida, LLC (DEF) and Gulf Power Company (Gulf) will receive a one-time bill reduction in May to reflect over recovery of fuel and capacity cost recovery factors. Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) approved proposal will pass fuel-cost savings to customers from June through August, with smaller monthly savings through December.
The four utilities requested PSC approval to reduce customer rates mainly to reflect lower projected natural gas prices. The approved adjustments will lower a monthly 1,000-kilowatt hour (kWh) residential bill as follows:
- FPL: A 1,000 kWh residential bill for May will be $73.36, a decrease of $23.07.
- DEF: A 1,000 kWh residential bill for May will be $102.90, a decrease of $26.84.
- Gulf: A 1,000 kWh residential bill for May will be $84.04, a decrease of $56.39.
- TECO: A 1,000 kWh residential bill for June through August will be $78.82, a decrease of $23.37; the same bill for September through December will be $97.69, a $4.50 reduction from the current $102.19 monthly bill.
For live updates on the coronavirus, click here.
Interactive map: Florida’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard | Interactive Map: Coronavirus cases around the world
New testing site available in Jacksonville today
April 28, 6:30 a.m.: Testing is available today at a new testing site: The Legends Center at 5130 Soutel Drive. The UF health walk-up COVID-19 testing will take place from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
According to the Blackshear Police Department, testing is also available for free at 217 West Carter Avenue today. There is no screening, appointment or proof of residency needed to be tested. Testing begins at 8 a.m.
Click here to see other testing site locations.
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