Longboat Key adjusts COVID-19 policies

Like all local governments throughout Florida, the town of Longboat Key can no longer issue COVID-19-related orders or restrictions.

On May 3, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 2021-102. It suspends all remaining local government mandates and restrictions based on the COVID-19 state of emergency.

Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer said someone from the public can enter Town Hall without a mask as of Monday, May 17.

“We still are strongly encouraging masks for those that are non-vaccinated,” Harmer said. “And, we really support those individuals and their personal choice to wear a mask even if they are vaccinated, but we are not requiring those that enter to automatically wear a mask.”

The town continues to follow and support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for how to deal with COVID-19.

“On Thursday, the CDC issued updated guidance that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in most settings -- both indoor and outdoor,” Harmer wrote in an email to commissioners. “The Governor’s Executive Order also prohibits restrictions based on whether or not an individual has received the vaccine. 

“Based on the Executive Order, the latest CDC guidance, and the latest vaccine statistics on the island, the Town has updated its recommendations and practices to be consistent with the Governor’s Order and the CDC.”

The town has posted signs outside municipal buildings that read:

“The town of Longboat Key follows current CDC guidance related to COVID-19. For non-vaccinated visitors, masks are strongly encouraged in town facilities. We respect individuals’ personal choice to wear a mask as an enhanced protective measure.”

The CDC considers someone to be fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second vaccines or from the date of their one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

More than 97% of Longboat Key’s residents are vaccinated, according to Harmer.

As of Monday, May 17 the town is suspending visitor screenings at all of its facilities. Temperature screenings at Town Hall and the Planning, Zoning and Building Department will remain, but are optional for visitor use.

“We’re limited on what we can do based on the governor’s order, and other privacy concerns, but clearly the state has advised us that we cannot screen individuals coming in based on whether or not they’ve had a vaccine,” Harmer said. “There is some personal responsibility here that we expect people to do the right thing.”

Masks are still available at all town facilities for visitors that request them. The town’s mask policy had been set to expire later this month.

“Those same things that helped us get to where we are today like washing your hands and covering your mouth and not coming in when you’re sick are still really, really important,” Harmer said. “We do support our employees’ right to wear a mask even if they’ve been vaccinated, and if an individual has not, then we are strongly encouraging them and asking them to wear a mask.”

The town is encouraging the public to conduct business with town staff virtually by email, phone or website. Meetings with the public can be scheduled in person if necessary.

“We are open for business,” Harmer said. “We just wanted to highlight that those ways that we’ve been using for the past 14 months are still available for both the safety of our employees and the safety of our residents and visitors.”

Public meetings of the Town Commission and advisory boards will continue to be held in the Commission Chambers. The meetings are open to the public subject to space requirements. Some hybrid meetings will continue through the state of emergency.

The town will also continue to have deliveries be placed outside Town Hall.

Private businesses in Longboat Key may enforce their own COVID-19 requirements for employees and customers. A business can still deny service to anyone who doesn’t comply with posted requirements.

Private organizations such as condominiums or resorts may also post and enforce COVID-19 requirements for common areas and elevators.