Updated at 3:30 p.m. March 30:
Please reference the prior updates and Escambia County COVID-19 Update #11 for a prior comprehensive running list. View an updated list of county closures and cancellations here. This update only includes new information we have received. Weekend updates will be distributed only when there is new information.
City of Pensacola Inspection Services Changes
- City of Pensacola Inspection Services will be implementing operational changes to minimize the risk to employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, including temporarily suspending in-person inspections of occupied dwellings or buildings. Inspection Services will continue to provide inspections of unoccupied buildings, video inspections of occupied buildings, plan review and permit issuance.
- All walk-in permitting at City Hall was suspended effective March 18 until further notice. Permitting services are available online only at mygovernmentonline.org.
- The new changes will take effect as follows:
- Permit Expiration Extension - Effective Monday, March 9
Permits that were set to expire on or after March 9, 2020 will be extended for the duration of the State of Emergency plus an additional six months. No request for extension needs to be made for projects in this case. This is pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order 20-52 and 252.363, Florida Statutes.
- Remote Video Inspection - Effective Monday, March 30
Inspectors will no longer be conducting inspections in occupied dwellings or buildings. Inspection Services is implementing a Remote Video Inspection, or RVI, process that uses Skype or FaceTime platforms. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to schedule the inspection and conduct the video walk through. The policy will be posted on the Inspection Services web page when it is finalized. Please review the policy and be familiar with it prior to scheduling. This policy will stay in effect until the State of Emergency is lifted, and city officials deem it safe for inspections personnel to conduct business. The RVI program will stay in effect as an option after this policy is terminated. Inspections on unoccupied buildings will continue, but the building should be clear of workers. It would be advisable to complete all trades prior to calling in framing and final inspections.
- Paper Plans and Documents - Effective Wednesday, April 1
Inspection Services will no longer accept paper plans and documents pertaining to plan review. These must be in a PDF format and must be uploaded into the permit application during the upload portion of application submittal using the mygovernmentonline.org program. This is a permanent change and will stay in effect after the declaration of emergency is lifted.
For more information, please contact Inspection Services at 850-436-5600 or inspections@cityofpensacola.com.
Escambia County
- Escambia County, Community Health Northwest Florida and Ascension Sacred Heart have partnered to open a drive-through COVID-19 testing site at Community Health Pediatrics located at 470 South Highway 29, Unit B, in Cantonment on Tuesday, March 31. IMPORTANT: All patients are required to be pre-screened before arriving at the drive-through testing center by calling the Ascension Sacred Heart COVID-19 Pre-Screening Call Center at 850-746-2684. Those who have not been pre-screened over the phone will not be provided access to the drive-through test center. Patients who meet the pre-screening criteria will be sent to the drive-through testing site for a nasal swab test. The pre-screening call center will be open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The drive-through clinic will open Tuesday, March 31 and will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- The Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting will take place Thursday, April 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room. This meeting, along with the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting, will be streamed live and archived online and utilizing this virtual viewing technology is encouraged. Seating will be limited due to CDC recommendations of social distancing. A public input form has been made available for input/comment on individual agenda items. In an effort to utilize options made available by Governor’s Executive Order 20-69 as well as to maximize social distancing, citizens are encouraged to comment or ask questions on agenda items by submitting the form above. Comment forms must be submitted prior to the vote on referenced agenda item. Comments or questions submitted pertaining to an agenda item will be read into the record during the meeting.
Feeding the Gulf Coast
Child nutrition distribution site data through Sunday, March 29:
- 20,298 pounds of food distributed
- 8,065 meals
- 6,417 snacks
For distribution site days and times visit feedingthegulfcoast.org/find-help/find-a-pantry. Individuals without internet access can also call 888-704-FOOD. For needs specific to child nutrition, text “FOOD” to 877-877.
Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
- As of 1 p.m., March 30, Escambia County has had 42 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.
- FDOH-Escambia is limiting public access to the Fairfield facility as a method of protecting the health of their clients and staff. Services will continue to be available for persons with appointments (or receiving the service). A parent or guardian may accompany a minor child if the child is receiving the service.
- Temporarily, the public entrances to the Fairfield facility will open at 7:30 a.m. on weekdays.
- To make a clinic appointment, call 850-595-6554.
- For WIC questions call 850-595-6670.
- For assistance with the steps outlined above may be obtained by calling the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County’s Coronavirus information line at 850-595-6500, option 6.
- Governor DeSantis announced on Friday, March 27 that all travelers from Louisiana will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. This will be executed through checkpoints along major highways where drivers will be directed to stop and fill out information regarding their Florida stay. Sheriffs and FHP will take lead on this. DOT will be placing signage along major roadways entering Florida. This excludes commercial travel.
