Closures

Selby Gardens Closes Until Further Notice

Gardens CEO Jennifer Rominiecki said the gardens would continue to pay its employees throughout the duration of the closure.

03/16/2020 By Megan McDonald

Breaking News

The Ringling Closes, Effective Immediately

The museum does not have an official reopening date.

03/16/2020 By Megan McDonald

Breaking News

Mote Closes Until Further Notice

The closure is effective immediately; animal care will continue 24/7.The closure is effective immediately.

03/16/2020 By Megan McDonald

Public Health

CDC Recommends Cancellations of Events of More Than 50 People

According to the Florida Department of Health, 136 Floridians have tested positive for COVID-19 and six have been diagnosed and are isolated outside of Florida.

03/16/2020 By Megan McDonald

That's The Way the Cookie Crumbles

Girl Scout Cookie Sales Will Continue...Kind Of

In addition to neighborhood walkabouts, Girl Scouts have been permitted to sell through Facebook and Nextdoor due to coronavirus.

03/16/2020 By Megan McDonald

Education

Sarasota, Manatee County Schools to Close Through March 30

School districts around the state will keep students home for an extra week following spring break.

03/13/2020 By Megan McDonald

Public Health

Sarasota Department of Health Sets Up COVID-19 Call Center

County residents who believe they may have COVID-19 are asked to call the Sarasota call center *before* visiting health care providers.

03/13/2020 By Megan McDonald

Public Health

2020 Sarasota Film Festival Cancelled

SFF officials said they will look to reschedule the event at a time "when the public can safely attend large-scale events."

03/13/2020 By Megan McDonald

Public Health

City of Sarasota Declares a Public Health Emergency

The Sarasota Farmers Market will close this Saturday, and the Van Wezel will reschedule all performances through March 31.

03/13/2020 By Megan McDonald

Public Health

Two Sarasota County Residents Test Positive for COVID-19

It's unclear as to whether the cases are travel-related.

03/13/2020 By Megan McDonald

Public Health

All Events of More Than 250 People at County Facilities Cancelled

The move is to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

03/13/2020 By Megan McDonald

Baseball

Major League Baseball Suspends Spring Training, Delays Season Opening

The Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves voiced their support of the league's decision.

03/12/2020 By Megan McDonald

Public Health

DeSantis Urges Organizations to Postpone Large Gatherings to Prevent Coronavirus

The remainder of the Florida spring training season is expected to be cancelled, and colleges and universities are extending spring break and instituting remote learning procedures.

03/12/2020 By Megan McDonald

Health News

Second Manatee County Resident Tests Presumptive Positive for Coronavirus

There are 115 coronavirus tests currently pending in Florida, and 302 people currently being monitored.

03/09/2020 By Megan McDonald

Health News

SMH Says First Batch of COVID-19 Tests Are Negative

The hospital recently tested 14 patients with unexplained respiratory illness; it has also set up a 24/7 coronavirus command center and a public hotline.

03/05/2020 By Megan McDonald

Health News

Coronavirus: Local Schools to Remain Open; Third Case Presumptively Confirmed

Both school districts are implementing enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures; the third coronavirus case is the sister of a Hillsborough County woman whose case was already confirmed.

03/03/2020 By Megan McDonald