Authorities worry about an influx of visitors as other Florida beaches close.

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Sarasota and Manatee counties will close all public beaches out of an abundance of caution amid concerns about coronavirus, officials announced at a Thursday news conference held at the Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center.

Sarasota County will be closing its beaches starting at 6 a.m. Saturday, while Manatee County opted to close all public beaches effective 6 a.m. Friday.

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While representatives from both counties said that they felt like residents were mostly adhering to guidelines to not exceed groups of 10 people in gatherings while social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, they said they were worried about an influx of people coming to the beaches while other beaches around the state are being closed.

“We will continue to have staff out there to keep an eye on things, in addition to the Sheriff’s Department and their team. It’s important that we maintain the public health in terms of sanitary conditions as well, so we’ll have appropriate staff out there to take care of those issue as we go,” said Sarasota County Government Administrator Jonathan Lewis at Thursday’s news conference.

Beach closure signs and barricades — some on roads leading to the shore — will alert drivers to the closures in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

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“Each day as our local situation has changed and new advisories have been sent, Manatee County residents have heeded warnings and taken official advice seriously,” said Manatee County Administrator Cheri Coryea in a news release. “We’re hoping for more of the same with our beach announcement. Parking lots will be closed and signs placed to alert drivers and we expect that most people will heed that advice.”

Manatee County lifeguards will remain on duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, to ensure the safety of those who disregard the closure. A double red flag, indicating no swimming, will fly from lifeguard stands.

Coryea said in a news release that the decision was made to close Manatee County beaches with careful input from the mayors on Anna Maria Island and after speaking with Sarasota County officials in order to continue the close coordination of the two counties during the coronavirus outbreak.

“This is not a step we take lightly to close our beaches, but together with the advice of the public health officials we believe it is a step that’s in the public’s best interest,” Coryea said. “Our primary concern is the health and safety of our residents and visitors and the people they return home to. The leadership of the Island cities of Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, the City of Anna Maria and the Town of Longboat Key collectively brainstormed this decision and will have the authority to manage the impacts in their community.”

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Administrator Coryea, along with Manatee Sheriff Rick Wells, Department of Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Bencie and Public Safety Director Jacob Saur will provide more details on the local response during a news conference at 2 p.m. Friday. The news conference will be held in the Honorable Patricia M. Glass Chambers of the County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Manatee County Code Enforcement Officers will assist the Island communities enforcing the beach closure.

The closures will not impact private beaches.

Sarasota County

Sarasota Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kaitlyn Perez said the department has the appropriate amount of on-duty personnel to manage the beach and educate potential beachgoers, as needed. The Sheriff’s Office is waiting for language from the county — an emergency management provision — of the Florida Statutes to enforce the closures.

Lewis said that Sarasota County emergency services has been working with local law enforcement partners “very closely” throughout the coronavirus event. He said law enforcement agencies in both the city and county will continue to provide enforcement, including beach enforcement.

Lewis noted that the closures are a “community by community, county by county” choice and in exact harmony with what Gov. Ron DeSantis has asked regarding beaches.

“Certainly at this moment we think that’s the appropriate step for our community, again because we are worried about the surge from South Florida as people look to migrate, particularly their tourists out of their communities,” Lewis said.

The county is planning to hold a commission meeting Tuesday, so its board can have a conversation about what’s going on in the community and take care of normal business.

Sarasota County Emergency Services Director Rich Collins said the fire department has added two rapid response vehicles to its fleet to specifically to respond to cases of COVID-19 patients who don’t need critical care. These new trucks carry a paramedic and firefighter and provide advanced life support equipment but cannot transport patients.

The Emergency Operations Center is operating 24 hours a day during the event.

“Everybody in this community plays a role in keeping us all safe,” Collins said. “If you’re sick stay home. Protect yourself and protect others. If you go out, make sure you are washing your hands and practicing good hygiene, all those basic things we were taught as children. ... You have a role in our public health and our public safety.”

City of Sarasota

The city of Sarasota on Thursday temporarily halted the sale of beer, wine and alcohol at restaurants each day after 9 p.m. as part of emergency orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release.

The order applies to all restaurants, clubs and business establishments that serve food for consumption on premises within city limits. It is effective beginning 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21, and will last through March 27 but may be extended if warranted.

The regulation comes in light of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ previous order closing bars and nightclubs throughout the state. It was also made following Sarasota County’s closure of all county beaches, including Lido Beach, beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday.

“This additional measure is being taken to maximize Sarasota’s compliance with directives from national and state health officials discouraging social gatherings and promoting social distancing,” City Manager Tom Barwin said in a press release. “As we are in the height of tourist and spring break season, this directive will help ensure the health of all of our citizens.”

Barwin, in consultation with Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch, has already extended the local public health emergency through Friday, March 27. The emergency declaration protects the health and safety of the community and positions the city to qualify for possible state or federal funds for losses associated with COVID-19.

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