The City of Sarasota has extended its declaration of a local citywide public health emergency through June 5 following a weekly review, as required by the city charter, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency order, issued Friday by city manager Tom Barwin, in consultation with mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch and city attorney Robert Fournier, also extends the experimental street closures that began last weekend in order to help local restaurants and retail establishments impacted by COVID-19. The street closures are expected to be in effect each Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to midnight, possibly through June.

Friday’s emergency order also strongly urges the public to wear protective masks when leaving home, including in common areas of condominium and apartment buildings, and to acquire protective masks if they have not already.