The City of Sarasota has extended its declaration of a local citywide public health emergency through July 17 following a weekly review, as required by the city charter, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency order was issued Friday by city manager Tom Barwin, in consultation with Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch and city attorney Robert Fournier. It also allows the Board of Rules and Appeals to conduct its regular quarterly meeting on Aug. 19 and the code-compliance special magistrate to conduct telephone hearings on July 30 and Aug. 6, with future meetings and hearings to be provided in subsequent emergency orders.

Face coverings are now required in all indoor and outdoor public spaces in City limits, whenever proper social distancing cannot be maintained, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The temporary regulation, which took effect July 1, will be in place for 60 days. A list of frequently asked questions about the face mask requirement is available here.

The City is also distributing paper and cloth masks to residents, visitors and businesses; to get one, email [email protected].