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Personal Message from Rep. Bob Rommel
As of today, there are over 500 cases of the coronavirus in Florida with 24 in Collier County.  There have been 10 deaths in Florida from COVID-19.  For Florida-specific data and updated County-by-County data, view the Department of Health’s Data and Surveillance Dashboard here.

To limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Governor issued an Executive Order closing all beaches in Florida  to the public until further notice.  The Naples Pier is also been closed.  The objective is to promote compliance with CDC guidelines and the Governor’s Executive Order by limiting gatherings and encouraging social distancing on the beaches. 

With that objective in mind, County staff, in cooperation with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, is taking the following actions:
 
Beach entrance locations will be patrolled by Park staff members who will advise the public that the beaches are closed until further notice.  The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has offered to assist with this effort.  While the Sheriff's Office may not be able to keep all beachgoers off the beach, they will be monitoring the County beaches and providing guidance on the Governor’s guidelines in order for our community to remain well and safe. 
 
Private property owners who own beachfront property are allowed to use and enjoy their property, while still encouraged to follow CDC guidance. If they were to attempt to enter the water, they would prospectively be in violation of the beach closure directive.
 
The protection of the elderly, high-risk, and all members of our community is extremely important, as is the capacity of our community health care system. 

Collier County is closely monitoring all developments related to COVID-19 and will provide additional updates as they occur.  Information is available at colliercountyfl.gov, facebook.com/CollierGov and Twitter.com/CollierPIO.

With the ongoing news and updates surrounding COVID-19, I understand the importance of having a trusted source for guidance on accurate and up-to-date information. The following website includes state and federal "go to" resources providing assistance and answering questions concerning COVID-19  https://www.floridahousemedia.gov/covid-19.

This too shall pass.  Follow the recommendations of health officials and stay in place as best as possible.  And remember:  Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands for 20 Seconds with Soap!!
Bob Rommel
State Representative - District 106
RESTAURANTS, BARS, FITNESS CENTERS and GYMS
Governor Ron DeSantis issued an Executive Order this afternoon, directing all restaurants and food establishments within the State of Florida to suspend on-premises food and alcohol consumption for customers. The listed establishments may, however, operate their kitchens for the purpose of providing delivery or take-out services.
 
This Executive Order lifts the restriction that prohibits a specially licensed food service establishment from selling package sales of alcohol for delivery, take-out or consumption off-premises. Alcohol sales to go with food that is pick-up or delivered will be permitted and I.D. will be required for orders including alcohol.
 
Additionally, the Executive Order requires the closures of gymnasiums and fitness centers within the State of Florida. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) shall utilize its authorities under Florida law to further implement and enforce the provisions of this Executive Order and shall take additional measures as necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
Attorney General's Price Gouging Hotline
 
 
Attorney General Ashley Moody has activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline for all consumers in the state.  At this time, essential commodities covered by Florida’s price gouging law under the COVID-19 state of emergency declaration include:
  • Protective masks;
  • Sanitizing and disinfecting supplies, such as hand sanitizer, gel, wipes, cleaning supplies for surface cleaning, and all commercial cleaning supplies; and
  • All personal protective equipment (PPE), including gowns, gloves and other protective gear.
(Not toilet paper!)  Before filing a price gouging complaint, gather as much information as possible. Here are some tips to help you know what evidence to capture and what to report:
  • Take pictures of advertised prices, receipts, signs or price tags, and keep copies of any estimates, invoices, receipts or bills;
  • If possible, identify the pricing of the same product sold by other sellers in the area;
  • Compare products, noting similarities and differences, by recording the product's name, brand, size/quantity, manufacturer, model number and price, with pictures of the items if possible;
  • Record the name and address of the business or individual selling the more expensive commodity and of any others whose prices are being compared; and
  • Retain receipts of covered items purchased from businesses you frequently visit, as these may provide better context when determining if the price of the item during a declared state of emergency represents a gross disparity from the average price charged 30 days before the declaration.
To call the Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline, dial: 1-866-966-7226
    
 

Remember the three tell-tale symptoms of COVID-19 are:

FEVER
SHORTNESS OF BREATH
COUGH

For more information or if you have questions you can call:

The Florida Department of Health, Statewide COVID-19 Call Center 

1-866-779-6121
24 hours/7 days a week
or
email any questions to COVID-19@flhealth.gov
or 
Click on the link below
Florida Department of Health - COVID-19 webpage
  
For up to date Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Information on COVID-19, please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.
   
Respiratory Prevention Protocol from the
Florida Department of Health

 
Protect yourself and your community from COVID-19. 
 
    *   Cancel or postpone events of 50 people or more.
    *   Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going  to the bathroom, 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% alcohol. 
   *   Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when you are sick. 
   *   Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
 
Link to EPA Approved Disinfectants
  
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A PRESCRIPTION
TO TEST FOR COVID-19
 
Please call the Collier County Florida Department of Health local call center at (239) 252-6220 or call the nearest LabCorp for arrange testing near you:  
LabCorp Link
 
The best sources for clear information on the pandemic are our state health department or the CDC.  The Florida hotline above is staffed 24/7.
 
NEW:  March 19 Florida State Update
 
Florida Department of Health 

Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 site
 
US Small Business Administration (SBA) and Emergency Bridge Loans
FEDERAL LOAN
 
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) To Provide Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) Up to $2 Million in Disaster Assistance Loans
 
Please note that Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are now available to eligible small businesses across all Florida counties under SBA’s latest declaration. 
 
FLORIDA STATE LOAN
 
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan
 
CORONAVIRUS: Disaster Response and Readiness
Update: 3/16/20
 
FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY BRIDGE LOAN

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the activation of the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bridge loan program provides short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19.
 
The application period opened on March 17, 2020 and runs through May 8, 2020. Basic information include:
 
Applicant:
Loans will only be made to an individual or individuals who own, individually or collectively, at least 51% of an Eligible Business. The Eligible Business owners must serve as guarantor for the loan and only one loan may be made per Eligible Business.
 
Amount (Max):
Businesses with less than two (2) employees: $25,000 per Business Max
Business with two (2) to 100 Employees: $50,000 per Business Max
(loans of up to $100,000 may be made in special cases)
 
Terms:
All loans will be due one (1) year from the date of the promissory note
 
Interest:
Loans are interest free for the term (1 year) of the loan
 
The application form and additional details can be found at FloridaDisasterLoan.org.
 
 
Local contact information for help with these loans is Sean Callahan, Collier County Executive Director of Corporate Business Operations
Sean.Callahan@colliercountyfl.gov
(239) 252-8348
Eligible businesses can apply for both SBA and Emergency Bridge loans
 

 

 
Copyright © 2020 State Representative Bob Rommel, All rights reserved.


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