3/26/20 @ 3:10 pm
​Emergency Management has provided insight about the Health Department’s limitations related to COVID-19 testing such as providing public health information to the community while protecting the identity of those being tested.

From Emergency Management:
​
We appreciate the desire to understand how many Floridians in each community have been tested, received a negative test or are under public health monitoring as a result of suspicion they may have COVID-19 or has been in contact with someone who have COVID-19. Balancing the privacy of the individuals being tested and monitored and the confidentiality of the epidemiological investigations with the responsibility to Floridians to disclose information to protect the public is a vital role of the Florida Department of Health (Department).

The Department strives to protect the identity of individuals tested or affected by COVID-19, while also ensuring information necessary for the public health is available.

As such, in order to protect the personally identifiable health information (PHI) of Floridians, the Department is unable to provide certain details regarding case information. Floridians can view the best and most up-to-date available information at www.FLHealth.gov/COVID-19. This information is updated twice daily and contains links to the most recent COVID-19 daily report
and the Florida COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard.

Additionally, the Department is encouraging all Floridians to be aware. Floridians should practice social distancing, maintaining at least 6 feet from those around them in social settings, use good hand hygiene and wash their hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, use a tissue when they sneeze or cough and immediately dispose of it in the trash and stay home if they are sick.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Valerie Feinberg, AICP
Interim Director, PEO Department
(904) 530-6300
[email protected]
 
COUNTY SEEKS CITIZEN INPUT ON RECREATION MASTER PLAN

Nassau County, Florida, March 26, 2020 - Nassau County is embarking on a long-range Recreation Master Plan for the entire county, with the goal of completion in Fall 2020. The plan will evaluate recreation needs in the community as we grow, identify existing and future opportunities, and make recommendations regarding operations and maintenance into the future.

As part of the planning process, the County will be doing a variety of public outreach, including a statistically valid survey, one on one meetings with Commissioners and other officials, and stakeholder meetings with various groups related to recreation in Nassau County.

Feedback from you, the residents of Nassau County and others who use our recreation facilities is of prime importance.  Therefore, we invite you to participate in taking an online survey that will facilitate county staff in including the preferences of citizens in the county’s Recreation Master Plan.

Please follow this link to access the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NassauParks
It is available beginning today until April 30, 2020.

Your input is vital to improving the quality of life in Nassau County
More information is available at: www.nassaucountyfl.com/recplan.
 
The Nassau County Planning and Economic Opportunity Department is charged with leading long-range and current planning for the community, with a focus on technical planning, implementation and management of the Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan, development and site plan review, and assistance to citizens, the Board of County Commissioners, County Manager and other staff, advisory boards, government agencies, and the private sector regarding growth and development in Nassau County. For more information on our Plan, Code, or current initiatives, visit www.nassaucountyfl.com/planning, call (904) 530-6300 or email [email protected].
 


 

3/26/20 @ 12:20 pm- From Emergency Management:

​As of noon, March 26, 2020, FDOH Nassau has received a new case report of a positive COVID-19 test in a 73 year old female resident. The Health Department is completing case investigation and contact tracing. The individual will remain in isolation until released by public health. This brings the total case count in Nassau County residents to five. More information about Florida cases and testing are available at the FDOH COVID website: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov

The Department is Health has confirmed three new cases of COVID-19 in Nassau County. All three are travel related or from being in close contact with a confirmed case. Please see below information from Emergency Management’s page:

​As of 6 pm, Wednesday March 25, 2020, FDOH Nassau has received three new confirmed positive COVID test results for three Nassau County residents (50 year old male, 67 year old female, 58 year old female). The Health Department is completing the investigation and contact tracing. At the present time, it appears the three new cases were either travel related or had close contact with a confirmed case. All three cases will remain in isolation until released by public health.

This brings the total case count in Nassau County to four including the case previously reported March 10, 2020. More information about Florida cases and testing are available at the FDOH COVID website: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/

3/25/20 @ 7:00 p.m. - Below is today’s JIS Release from Emergency Management

Public Information Release 03/25/2020 6pm Release

Contact: Ashley A. Spicer
Dave Richardson
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: NassauEM

The “One Nassau” Joint Information System (JIS) continues to monitor rapidly changing situations in order to provide timely, accurate, unified messaging to Nassau County residents. Updates will be provided each afternoon; more frequently when and if warranted.

Current Situation in Nassau County: Please see www.facebook.com/NassauEM/videos/139787367440428/ for our latest PSA

The Nassau County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains at Level 2 which means enhanced staffing between 8a.m. and 5p.m. able to respond to questions by phone or through Facebook messaging. EOC will continue to process emergency requests for resource assistance.

Nassau County still has only ONE confirmed positive case of Covid-19. That patient is in insulation and recovering.

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) website floridahealthcovid19.gov has current information about COVID-19 in Florida. If you have additional questions about the pandemic you can call the Emergency Operations Center at 904-548-0900.

Residents who believe they have been in “close contact” to a person who is a positive case of Covid-19 should call DOH-Nassau at 904-875-6100 for immediate guidance.

Nassau County Schools are now closed until at least April 15th. However meals are being served. Additional information is available at https://www.nassau.k12.fl.us/

Public Safety responders are working under normal operations. Call 9-1-1 for all public safety and medical emergencies.

Businesses have been asked to complete the Florida Department Economic Opportunity (DEO) impact survey at https://floridadisaster.biz/; businesses experiencing economic injury may use the form on www.FloridaDisasterLoan.org.

Nassau P3 (Public-private partnership) has compiled information about local resources and social services available to residents during the pandemic response. Updates are posted on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nassaup3/.

Both the Town of Callahan and the City of Fernandina Beach have declared Local State of Emergency to streamline their administrative processes.

Continue to take everyday precautions to reduce disease transmission:

If you are at risk or have underlying health conditions, avoid crowds and maintain “social distancing” practices.
Stay home and away from others if you are ill.

Cough/sneeze into your elbow, sleeve or a tissue (then throw away).

Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing or having been in a public place; or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not immediately available.

Avoid touching common surfaces, especially in public places - door handles, ATM buttons, handrails, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something. Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth.

Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces to remove germs every day (tables, and counters, doorknobs, light switches, steering wheels, keyboards/mice, faucets, remotes and phones).

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is the “clearing house” for Nassau County’s JIS. We will post incident information regularly on the NassauEM Facebook page and www.NassauFL-EM.com website. If you have questions, please call the EOC’s information line at 904-548-0900 or message EOC staff through the NassauEM Facebook page.

####

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
[email protected]
 
Closing of Simulated Gaming Establishments
 
Nassau County, Florida, March 25, 2020 – On January 27, 2020, the Board of County Commissioners approved Ordinance No. 2020-06 declaring Simulated Gaming Establishments as a public nuisance and ordering them to cease operations in sixty days, or in this case, March 28, 2020.
 
Two of the gaming establishments filed injunctions in an attempt to remain open. The case was heard in Federal Court on Thursday, March 19, 2020. The Judge issued his ruling yesterday, denying the injunction. All gaming establishments in Nassau County should close their doors this weekend. Failure to do so would result in a civil penalty of no less than $250 per day of violation, and subject to fines by the Code Enforcement Board of up to $1,000 per day for the first violation, $5,000 per day for a repeat violation, and up to $15,000 per violation if the Code Enforcement Board or Special Magistrate finds the violation to be irreparable or irreversible in nature. Each day that the establishment remains open would be considered a repeat violation.
 
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.
 

3/25/20 @ 9:30 a.m. - The Board of County Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting at 10:30 to extend the Local State of Emergency. Florida Statute only allows a State of Emergency to be issued for seven days, therefore it has to be extended if an emergency still exists.

The meeting will be streamed live at www.nassauclerk.com.

For those who want to participate in the meeting or make comments without being in attendance due to social distancing, we offer you the following options:

1. Submit an email to [email protected]. Provide your name and address along with your comments. The emails will then be reviewed and read into the record at the meeting.
2. Call (904) 530-6009 and leave a message which includes your name, address and the comment that you would like shared for the record at the meeting.
3. If you would like to speak live at the meeting, call (904) 530-6009 and leave a message with your name, address and phone number indicating that you would like to be contacted telephonically during the meeting. Provide an indication of the subject matter and we will call you as the topic comes up on the agenda.

 
-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

A message from Sheriff Bill Leeper:

The men and women of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office are committed to protecting life and property at all times. This is more important now than ever before. Deputies will continue to patrol neighborhoods, respond to calls for service, investigate crimes and ensure your safety. If you need a deputy please call the NCSO Non-Emergency number at 904-225-5174 or if it is an emergency dial 911.

However, out of an abundance of caution and to further implement the social distancing protocol being advised by health officials due to the Coronavirus, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office will make the following changes effective at 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 24th:
Office Closings:
NCSO Administration Office Lobby - the lobby will be closed to the public until further notice.

Please visit www.nassauso.com or call 904-548-4009 for Employment Applications – Incident Reports – Traffic Crash Reports – Background Check Requests.
NCSO Civil Process Office Lobby will be closed to the public until further notice.

Please visit www.nassauso.com or call 904-548-4038 or 904-548-4004 for Civil Processing or Arrest Warrants.
We are sorry for any inconvenience. We will work to reopen all of our offices as soon as we can.

3/24/20 @ 8:50 a.m.

Attached is today's One Nassau Joint Information System (JIS) Release #7 issued by Nassau County Emergency Management. It contains the most recent updates related to COVID-19 from around the County.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/23/20 @ 3:40 p.m. - Earlier today, we provided a Press Release regarding changes in operations for all departments under the authority of the Board of County Commissioners. The Department Planning & Economic Opportunity has issued a Press Release that pertains specifically to changes in planning and development processes.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Valerie Feinberg, AICP
Interim Director, Nassau County Planning + Economic Opportunity Department
(904) 530-6300
[email protected]
 
Nassau County, FL. March 23, 2020
 
Immediate Planning and Development Process Changes Due to Coronavirus COVID-19
 
As we follow the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), please be assured that the well-being of our community, clients, and staff are of utmost importance to us.  We are following the guidelines and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health- Nassau to help limit exposure and mitigate transmission of the virus.
 
Effective TODAY, Monday, March 23, 2020, until further notice our offices will be closed to the public, vendors, contractors and consultants. All meetings with the public shall be virtual.
 
No new applications requiring a quasi or non-quasi-judicial public hearing shall be accepted until further notice. This includes, but is not limited to, applications for rezoning, Comprehensive Plan amendment, Future Land Use Map Amendment, conditional use permit, a variance requiring a public hearing, a new Detailed Specific Area Plan (DSAP), or any other development proposal requiring an Agreement approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
 
The Development Review Committee (DRC) will no longer accept paper submittals for new Development Review Applications until further notice. The sole exception being subdivision plat mylars for BOCC approval. Arrangements to deliver plat mylars must be scheduled by phone at (904) 530-6300 or email [email protected]. New DRC submittals will be processed for pre-applications, site engineering plans, preliminary binding site plans, and plats. The DRC staff committee will continue to meet every Tuesday at 9:00 AM.  No member of the public or the applicant can attend the meetings; however, the public can view the meeting via Live Streaming at https://nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings/. Comments can be emailed to [email protected]. All applicants will be notified prior to the meetings and provided a call-in phone number during the presentation of their projects.
 
Any other unique situations will be reviewed by the Planning Director on a case-by-case basis.  We will update our response as additional information becomes available and new developments occur.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation to implement this new process.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Planning and Economic Opportunity Department at (904) 530-6300 or email [email protected].
 
The Nassau County Planning and Economic Opportunity Department is charged with leading long-range and current planning for the community, with a focus on technical planning, implementation and management of the Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan, development and site plan review, and assistance to citizens, the Board of County Commissioners, County Manager and other staff, advisory boards, government agencies, and the private sector regarding growth and development in Nassau County.
 
 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
[email protected]
 
Participation in the March 23rd Board of County Commissioner’s Meeting
 
Nassau County, Florida, March 23, 2020 – The Board of County Commissioners has a regularly scheduled meeting tonight at 6:00 p.m. Meetings can be viewed live on our website at www.nassaucountyfl.com.
 
The meeting will be open to the public with limited seating, however we are encouraging residents to not attend unless they feel it is absolutely necessary. For those who want to participate in the meeting or make comments without being in attendance due to social distancing, we offer you the following options:

1. Submit an email to [email protected]. Provide your name and address along with your comments. The emails will then be reviewed and read into the record at the meeting.
2. Call (904) 530-6009 and leave a message which includes your name, address and the comment that you would like shared for the record at the meeting.
3. If you would like to speak live at the meeting, call (904) 530-6009 and leave a message with your name, address and phone number indicating that you would like to be contacted telephonically during the meeting. Provide an indication of the subject matter and we will call you as the topic comes up on the agenda.

 
Thank you for your interest in the meeting.
 
 
 

3/23/20 @ 9:35 a.m. - The Board of County Commissioners has made some changes to County operations of departments under their authority to protect staff from possible exposure to COVID-19. Effective today, some departments will begin working in shifts to minimize the number of employees working at one time. Though we will continue with day-to-day operations, many of the lobbies will be closed to the public. We will continue to serve you over the phone or electronically through email and/or the website. Departments providing public safety services to the residents such as Fire Rescue and the Road Department, will continue to operate as normal.

For a complete list of departments, changes to operations, and methods to make contact, please see the attached Press Release.

 - Sabrina Robertson
   County Manager's Office

3/21/20 @ 10:00 p.m.

Some stores have set aside shopping hours for seniors. Please pass this information along.

3/21/20 @ 4:55 p.m. - We regret to inform you that Executive Order No. 2 was just issued closing the County's beaches effective at 6am on Sunday, March 22nd. This includes all pedestrian and horse traffic, in addition to the vehicular traffic and camping that was temporarily restricted in accordance with Executive Order No. 1 issued earlier today. Any person on the beach after 6am tomorrow morning will be trespassed and subject to a misdemeanor in the second degree.

Should you have any questions, please contact the County Manager's Office at (904) 530-6010 between 8am and 5pm, Monday-Friday. Or you can email us at [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/21/20 @ 12:45 p.m. - Executive Order No. 1 has been issued temporarily restricting access to some beach areas and beach activities.

Beach Driving
Effective as of 11:00 a.m. today, no additional vehicular traffic shall access any beach areas in the unincorporated areas of Nassau County. Vehicles currently on the beach may remain in place until 5:00 p.m. today. Once a vehicle exits the beach, re-entry is not allowed. Beach access points where driving is normally allowed will have barriers in place and will be monitored by the Sheriff's Office.

Beach Camping
Effective today at 5:00 p.m., no camping or sleeping on the unincorporated beaches will be allowed. This includes tents, blankets, towels or any similar item used for camping.

Beach use
Individuals are allowed on the beach, subject to restrictions, and shall adhere to CDC guidelines to limit gathering to ten (10) people or less in a group. The Sheriff's Office shall have the authority to issue orders to beach users violating the provisions of this order, including order to remove themselves from the beach. Failure to remove themselves will constitute a trespass and is a second-degree misdemeanor.

Beach Parking Lots/Accesses
Currently, beach accesses/parking lots are fully open. The County Manager and Emergency Management shall have the authority to issue further restrictions as to the beach, including use of beach parking areas. Signage will be utilized, when possible, to notify users of the restrictions.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office