Updated at 10 a.m. March 23:
Please reference Escambia County COVID-19 Update #11 for the prior running list. This update only includes new information we have received. Weekend updates will be distributed only when there is new information.
Baptist Health Care
- Baptist Health Care now offers a Screening Center to evaluate people with respiratory illness and COVID-19 symptoms. To better and more safely serve our community members, this Baptist Medical Group location is set up to provide a controlled environment that applies the social distancing guidelines that are encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The center’s focus is to provide a more comprehensive treatment program by screening those who may have COVID-19 and treating people with Flu-A, Flu-B, pneumonia or other respiratory illnesses.
- All individuals with respiratory symptoms – such as cough, fever and shortness of breath – can set up an appointment with the Screening Center.
- They should contact their Baptist Medical Group – Primary Care provider office.
An appointment is required to visit this Center.
- The Baptist Medical Group office will assess a person’s symptoms to determine if a visit to the clinic is needed.
- If they meet the criteria, an appointment will be scheduled for them.
- They will be given a phone number to call upon their arrival.
- Patients will be asked to remain in their vehicles, and a BMG team member will greet them and escort them to the clinic.
We continue to evaluate the situation, explore additional options and will continue to implement changes to meet the community’s expanding needs.
Baptist Health Care is taking all necessary precautions to ensure that our team members and community remain safe. We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and from area health departments. Additional information on COVID-19 is available at eBaptistHealthCare.org.
CareerSource Escarosa
City of Pensacola
Governor's Order Regarding Restaurant Changes, Gym Closures
- The City of Pensacola is following Executive Order 20-71 issued Friday, March 20, by Gov. Ron DeSantis, directing all restaurants and food establishments within the state of Florida to suspend on-premises food and alcohol consumption for customers. The executive order also requires the closures of gymnasiums and fitness centers in the state of Florida.
- The executive order goes into effect immediately and includes the following:
- Alcohol: All vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises must suspend the sale of alcoholic beverages by the drink or in sealed containers for consumption on the premises. Such vendors may continue to sell alcoholic beverages in sealed containers for consumption off premises.
- Restaurants: All restaurants and food establishments licensed under Chapters 500 and 509, Florida Statues, within the state of Florida must suspend on-premises food consumption for customers. Such establishments may operate their kitchens for the purpose of providing delivery or take-out services.
- Fitness centers: Gymnasiums and fitness centers within the state of Florida must close. This order shall not apply to gymnasiums and fitness centers which are: (i) amenities of hotels which have a capacity of 10 persons or less, (ii) are an amenity of a residential building, (iii) are interior to any fire or police stations or (iv) are located inside any single-occupant office building.
- Read the governor's executive order here: https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-71.pdf
Meal Pickup Sites for Youth
- The City of Pensacola is partnering with Feeding the Gulf Coast to offer grab-and-go meals for youth ages 18 and under at several city community centers starting Monday, March 23.
- The meals will include lunch and a snack, and they will be available on a first come, first served basis. Breakfast items will be offered starting Monday, March 30.
- Meals will be available for pickup only at the locations listed below Monday-Friday from10 a.m. to noon.:
- Cobb Resource Center, 601 E. Mallory St.
- Fricker Community Center, 900 N. F. St.
- Gull Point Resource Center, 7000 Spanish Trail
- Woodland Heights Resource Center, 111 Berkley Drive
- For more information and updates, please contact City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation at 436-5672 or like Play Pensacola Parks & Recreation on Facebook.
Use of City of Pensacola Parks and Playgrounds
- Parks managed by the City of Pensacola remain open to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, but park visitors should not use playground equipment, park benches, and other shared public surfaces. Current evidence suggests that the COVID-19 virus can survive on surfaces up to several days according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, andthe City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department is not disinfecting these frequently touched surfaces.
- As recreation and physical activity are essential for optimal health, the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department encourages families to continue enjoying open spaces at any of the city's 93 parks. Park visitors should bring their own equipment such as a ball or Frisbee, and CDC guidelines should be followed to help stop the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing.
- The City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department has taken the following actions to protect the public:
- All drinking fountains at city parks have been turned off.
- The city's splash pad at Plaza de Luna is closed until further notice.
- For more information about City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation, visit www.playpensacola.com or like Play Pensacola Parks and Recreation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PlayPcolaParks/
- To view a list of city parks and green spaces, visit www.cityofpensacola.com/2805/Parks-Greenspaces.
Pensacola Energy
- Pensacola Energy’s customer service office, located on Reus and Government streets adjacent to Pensacola City Hall, is closed to walk-in until further notice. Customers can continue to make dropbox payments.
- Pensacola Energy is committed to providing natural gas service during this time of uncertainty and is taking the following steps to keep operations as normal as possible:
- While offices and pay centers may be closed to the public, customers can pay online at paycityofpensacola.com or over the phone by calling 850-435-1800.
- Pensacola Energy employees are following the recommendations of the government, including social distancing and personal protective equipment, when interacting with each other and customers. For more information on how to best protect yourself and others, please visit cdc.gov/coronavirus
- If you are having difficulty making payment on your account due to financial strain, please contact Pensacola Energy at 850-435-1800 to learn about options and available resources.
- For more information, please email info@cityofpensacola.com.
Escambia County
- Escambia County will close facilities and programs to public in-person access to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 effective Monday, March 23. View alternative ways to conduct business with county departments here.
- The Citizen's Information line is now open for county citizen service-related questions: 850-471-6600.
- Parks remain open; however, we strongly encourage you to bring your own sports equipment and refrain from using playground equipment.
- Restaurants on Pensacola Beach are open for take-out and to-go.
Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
- As of 9 a.m., March 23, Escambia County has four positive COVID-19 cases. This number is expected to change daily due to the return of results from ongoing testing. For the most up-to-date information regarding confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Florida, visit the COVID-19 dashboard. The site is currently updated twice daily.
Florida State Parks
- Beginning Monday March 23, all Florida State Parks, including Big Lagoon State Park, Perdido Key State Park, and Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park are closed to all visitors until further notice.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Gulf Islands National Seashore is coordinating with state and local governments to incorporate their guidance into operational decisions for the Seashore and is announcing additional modifications to operations effective immediately. Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, the following remain open at this time:
- All park waters (82% of the park)
- The Naval Live Oaks Area Bayside (north of Highway 98)
- Petit Bois, West Petit Bois, and Horn islands, as well as the NPS-owned portions of Cat Island
The following have been canceled parkwide:
- All ranger led programs have been canceled
- Special Use permits for activities have been canceled
The following are closed in Florida (updates in bold):
- Processing of all Crab Island Commercial Use Authorizations are suspended
- The Naval Live Oaks Area Soundside (south of Hwy. 98) as of 5:00 pm on March 22
- The Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Fort Pickens, and Perdido Key areas as of 5 p.m. March 20
- The Fort Barrancas Area including the forts and visitor center
Concession Operations:
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations. All Gulf Islands National Seashore status updates will be posted online at https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/tempclosures.htm, www.Facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, and www.Twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS.
CareerSource Escarosa
- CareerSource Escarosa is closed to the Public
Visit Pensacola
The Visit Pensacola visitor centers in an abundance of caution will operate as a “Virtual Office,” starting on Monday, March 23. Our staff will continue to provide the latest COVID-19 information and resources to help keep the traveling public informed; however, lobby doors will be locked to public access.
The Pensacola Beach visitor center continues to operate as a virtual office until further notice. The office staff will be available via phone and email. The Santa Rosa Island Authority office will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 23, in order to protect the public health and safety of their staff. Customers will be assisted via email or telephone.