Local Government Updates for St. Lucie County
STATE WIDE
On September 25th, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-244, moving all of Florida’s 67 counties into Phase 3. Executive Order 20-244 does the following:
- Removes state-level restrictions on businesses, such as restaurants.
- Provides that no COVID-19 emergency ordinance may prevent an individual from working or operating a business, giving Floridians and business owners needed certainty and the ability to provide for themselves and their families.
- Provides that restaurants may not be limited by a COVID-19 emergency order by any local government to less than 50% of their indoor capacity. If a restaurant is limited to less than 100% of its indoor capacity, such COVID-19 emergency order must satisfy the following:
- Quantify the economic impact of each limitation or requirements on those restaurants; and
- Explain why each limitation or requirement is necessary for public health.
- Suspends all outstanding fines and penalties, and the collection of such moving forward, applied against individuals related to COVID-19.
Executive Order 20-244 is effective immediately. Click here for more information.
Florida Department of Health - latest updates on coronavirus (COVD-19)
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
St. Lucie County Offers Financial Assistance with Minor Car Repairs
The St. Lucie County Human Services Division is offering minor auto repair for those currently employed or seeking employment, attending school or with ongoing medical appointments. This program is available to St. Lucie County residents who are in need of small repairs such as batteries, tires, water hoses, brakes, engine belts, etc. Residents can receive up to $500 toward repairs from a licensed auto shop.
St. Lucie County residents interested in receiving assistance should visit the Minor Auto Repair webpage here.
Face Mask Ordinance for All Residents & Visitors in St. Lucie County:
St. Lucie County's Emergency Order No. 20-049 calls for the mandatory wearing of face coverings for anyone in public in places where social distancing is difficult to do. This includes restaurants, retail stores, businesses and outdoor facilities.
The Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County (EDC of SLC) is an excellent source of information to help businesses navigate new financial assistance for employers and their employees.
Click Here for the EDC of SLC COVID-19 Business Assistance Web Portal for updated information on programs and services to assist your business and employees.
Click Here to subscribe to the daily email updates from EDC of SLC.
The Economic Development Council has established a new COVID-19 Virtual Business Recovery Center (VBRC). EDC President Pete Tesch has announced the appointment of Bill West as Executive Director. The VBRC will work in partnership with the Small Business Development Center to provide regional businesses with recovery resources, guidance, programming and consulting support. Click here for more information.
St. Lucie County Government website and St Lucie County's Facebook page
Click here for Cleveland Clinic updates and testing info
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health is performing drive-through testing at Martin North Hospital and St. Lucie West for COVID-19 by appointment only.
Anyone over the age of 5 who has a fever and respiratory illness (such as cough, runny nose, sneezing) or any patient with a fever and gastrointestinal illness (such as diarrhea, vomiting) is eligible for testing.
To receive an appointment, individuals who believe they may have symptoms of COVID-19 must first call a nurse triage hotline at 772.419.3360, between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday - Friday and 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday - Sunday.
Individuals who receive testing will be asked to self-quarantine until the results are received.
Directions and Hours for Testing Locations:
200 SE Hospital Ave.
Stuart, Florida 34994
Testing Hours:
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health at St. Lucie West
1095 NW St. Lucie West Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, Florida 34986
Testing Hours:
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Emergency Information – 211 – St. Lucie County
24/7 Help Hotline: 211
St. Lucie County Emergency Operations Center: (772) 465-5770
St. Lucie County School District info and resources
City of Port St. Lucie
City of Port St.Lucie website and City of Port St. Lucie Facebook page
Keep in touch with the City of Port St. Lucie's Mayor through social media on City of PSL Mayor Greg Oravec's Facebook page
Port St. Lucie business owners can seek guidance and resources through the City of Port St. Lucie’s Business Navigator, Elijah Wooten, MBA. Visit the City of Port St. Lucie’s Financial & Business Resources during COVID-19 page here, or contact Elijah directly through email or by phone: 772-873-6374.
If you are open for business, please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey from the City. Click here to take the Open For Business Survey.
On Sept. 14, Port St. Lucie's City Council approved the contract with AT&T for the “Hotspots for Student Program.” As thousands of students move to distance learning to start the school year, connectivity has become more complicated. The City's Neighborhood Services Department will provide 2,000 Wi-Fi Hotspots with six months of unlimited service to students that don’t have internet access and currently receive free/reduced lunch. Only one Hotspot per household, as the Hotspots provide a secure connection for up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously. The Hotspots will also be enabled with Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) software to identify and block violent and inappropriate websites. The City is also looking at ways to invest in a distance learning infrastructure in the future to ensure that all students are connected equally.
Wellness Wednesday Newsletter
With Employee Wellness in mind, The Human Resources Department for the City of Port St. Lucie has created Wellness Wednesdays, a short, weekly newsletter including a featured article highlighting a topic of local interest, a Tasty Recipe and a Mindful Video.
The first edition included an article from the St. Lucie County Health Department titled “Support your Health with Nutrition,” a recipe for Roasted Veggie Flatbread, and a video on how to meditate.
This information was pulled from the City of Port St. Lucie's City Manager Bi-Weekly Report. To subscribe, click here.
City of Fort Pierce
City of Ft. Pierce website and City of Ft. Pierce Facebook Page
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Programs
- COVID-19 Residential Payment Program offers residential customers the opportunity to finance their balance up to 12 months to pay at zero percent (0%) Please call customer service at 772-466-1600, ext. 3900.
- Project Care COVID-19 Relief Fund is available to residential customers experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. Please contact Mustard Seed Ministries of Fort Pierce at 772-465-6021 or the ALPI (Agricultural & Labor Program, Inc.) appointment line at 844-356-8138.
