As of Wednesday evening, the city of Cape Coral has not declared a State of Local Emergency.

Lee County has declared a state of emergency to ensure the County is eligible for federal disaster funds, which have been made available due to President Trump’s declaration of a state of national emergency. A declaration of a state of emergency in Cape Coral would allow for a curfew, a limit on alcohol sales and/or changes in certain procurement procedures.

“It also has a significant cost to the City and can affect staffing of first responders,” the city’s Wednesday evening update states. “At this time, there is no added value to residents by declaring a local state of emergency. Lee County and the State of Florida have declared a state of emergency.”

More information about the Ordinance governing the declaration of a local state of emergency can be found at library.municode.com/fl/cape_coral/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH8FIPREMMA_ARTIVEMMA

City of Cape Coral announcements:

* The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is at a Level III – Enhanced Monitoring.

*All non-essential official City travel by employees is canceled until April 12 and may be extended.

* Cancellations/postponements:

~Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day (March 21) – CANCELED

~Community Development Block Grant program community meetings – CANCELED

~City-sponsored special events with large gatherings scheduled to take place prior to April 12 have been postponed/canceled. No new permits will be issued.

~ Visit the city website for current information concerning all Parks and Recreation Program Cancellations/Postponements

*Closures:

~Cape Coral Art League (on Cultural Park Boulevard)

~Cape Coral Fun-Mobile (Mobile Recreation)

~Cape Coral Historical Museum

~Cape Coral Multi Sports Complex

~Cultural Park Theater

~Sun Splash Family Waterpark

~Tony Rotino Center

~Yacht Club Beach

~Yacht Club Community Pool

Lee County Operations:

* In-person toll operation have been suspended. Collections will take place via Transponder and Toll-by-Plate (administrative fee normally charged will be waived).

* Garbage and recycling collection will continue as scheduled.

* For more information on County services affected by COVID-19, visit www.leegov.com/covid-19/

Bars & Restaurants:

The Office of the Governor implemented Executive Order 20-68, which contains directives for bars and restaurants statewide. For more information, please visit the Division of Business and Professional Regulation web site at www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/emergency/

These directives include:

* All Florida bars and nightclubs are to suspend services beginning March 17 for the next 30 days. The type of establishment is determined by state licensing.

* Restaurants shall conduct business at 50 percent capacity. Tables/Parties must be at least 6 feet apart. Restaurant employees must be screened for health before reporting to work (see the Executive Order for more information).

* To report a bar/night club or restaurant that is not in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order, please visit, www.myfloridalicense.com/entercomplaint.asp?SID

* Residents are strongly encouraged to use takeout and delivery services.

Testing:

A Message from Lee Health

“While mobile collection sites allow us to order more tests, physicians are still following CDC guidelines (www.cdc.gov//2019-nc/symptoms-testing/testing.html) when determining who should be tested for COVID-19. Testing priority is given to those who are hospitalized, have comprised immune systems or have other underlying risk factors such as chronic illness, travel history or direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient. If you think you should be tested for COVID-19, call your physician or use Lee TeleHealth (www.leehealth.org/our-services/telemedicine); this service is free.

If your doctor orders a COVID-19 test, they will give you a number to call to make an appointment for a sample to be collected and sent to the lab for testing. “

PLEASE NOTE: You must have a prescription and an appointment before going to a collection site. “Walk-ins” are not accepted. Currently, there is one mobile collection site at the Lee Convenient Care on US 41 near Page Field in Fort Myers. Another site is expected to open in Cape Coral on Friday. More details are forthcoming from Lee Health.

Fore more information please visit www.leehealth.org/.

Lee County School District/City of Cape Coral Charter Schools:

* All schools are closed until April 15 per a state directive.

For more information visit www.leeschools.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=676305&pageId=29559657

*T he School District of Lee County’s Food and Nutrition Services department will be serving a “Grab & Go” breakfast and lunch to those who need it during the school closures.

For more information, visit www.leeschools.net/our_district/departments/business_services/food_nutrition_services

* Unless business owners have decided to close, privately-owned daycares are open.

Seniors or any individual who needs assistance:

* If you or someone you know is a senior or any individual that needs assistance, please call the United Way 211 Helpline by dialing 2-1-1 or (239) 433-3900 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

* Assistance can also be requested through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (elderaffairs.state.fl.us/, (239)652-6901 or Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (aaaswfl.org/)

Businesses:

The Emergency Business Damage Assessment Survey for COVID-19 is available at https://floridadisaster.biz/. The survey will assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local businesses.

PREVENTION:

Hygiene

*Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially using the restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

*If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

Contact

*Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

*Stay home if you are feeling ill.

For up-to-date COVID-19 (coronavirus) information and cases, please visit the CDC or Florida Department of Health web sites:

CDC www.coronavirus.gov

FL Dept. of Health www.floridahealth.gov (or call 1-866-779-6121)

Source: City of Cape Coral