COVID 19 (Coronavirus) Informational Page
Last Updated 5/28/2020
Dear Members and Guests,
The Florida VRMA has established this informational page to keep you aware of real time updates to the ongoing COVID19 situation throughout Florida. Please utilize this information to get the latest updates for your business and your guests. The Florida VRMA is working closely with the Governors Office, Florida Department of Health, Visit Florida, the Dept. of Economic Opportunity, and other state agencies to bring you clear and factual reports. We are engaged each week on 2 regularly scheduled conference calls with these state agencies to collect updates and share them with you. As always, please refer to the following health and travel websites for more factual reporting.
Florida vacation rental owners and managers are the finest and most resilient hospitality providers in the world and we are working collectively to accommodate guests in all situations. Vacation rentals continue to be the safest alternative in lodging because guests are not co-mingled with other guests in crowded public spaces. Together with other tourism partners like Visit Florida and all of our destination marketing partners across the state, we are working on positive messaging and precautionary information to make everyone aware of this fluid situation. Please take every precaution to keep your family, guests and your employees safe during these times of uncertainty.
Please check this page frequently for updates, it will change constantly.
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On 5/15/2020 Governor DeSantis passed Executive Order 20-123 which allowed Florida Counties to submit plans for reopening vacation rentals statewide. The Executive Order, the tracking of these plans and the guidance by the state are all included here.Read More
What Florida County Plans Are Approved To ReOpen?
Vacation Rentals Permitted Pursuant to the County’s Safety Plan.
Bay County Approved.
Escambia County Approved.
Franklin County Approved.
Gulf County Approved.
Okaloosa County Approved.
Santa Rosa County Approved.
Walton County Approved.
Wakula County Approved
Pinellas County Approved Plan
Lee County Approved Plan
St Johns County Approved Plan
Osceola County Approved Plan
Charlotte County Approved Plan
Nassau County
Duval County
Levy County
Orange County
Collier County
Monroe County
Lake County
Flagler County
Brevard County
St Lucie County
Sign Our Petition To Governor DeSantis Click Here
Watch The Video Ad To Stop The Ban Click To Watch
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Find out about the new CARES ACT BY The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Read More
Click To Watch Navigating The Cares Act Video
Click To Watch VRBO Webinar On Cares Act
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Goldwater Institute, letters and OP/ED Read More
Florida VRMA Recommends Phase II to the Governor Read More
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WEBINARS
Dealing With Cancelations: 3/10/2020 Webinar with Atty. Keith Brady, Keith Brady Law related to cancelations, legal requirements and conflict avoidance. Click To Watch Contact Keith Brady Law, 727 201 7754 www.FloridaVacationRentalLaw.com for questions.
Housekeeping In The Age of Coronavirus 3/24/20 Click To Watch
Coronavirus Webinar For VRM's With Atty. Keith Brady, Keith Brady Law, Trending Topics On 3/25/2020 Click To Watch
4/29 The Road To Reopening Webinar Click To Watch
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STATE & FEDERAL RESOURCES: Follow the trusted resources on this page not the news.
FLORIDA DEPT. OF HEALTH
CDC - Center For Disease Control
WHO Advisories
US Dept. Of State Travel Advisory 3/11
Travel Restrictions 3/11 Executive Order - US Dept. of Homeland Security
Read More 3/15 Global Health Advisory
Florida Dept. of Health Contact Information.
For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center at (866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
Prevention techniques for this Virus? It's simple and follows the normal procedures just like any influenza virus. COVID 19 Prevention Measures
From the Florida Department of Health: What You Should Know.
COVID-19 can spread from person to person, like the flu, through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. People may contract COVID-19 by contaminating their hands with the virus and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth, among other ways.
Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure. Most people recover from COVID-19 without needing special treatment. The elderly and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
>Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
>Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
>Stay home when you are sick.
>Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
>Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
>Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask.
CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
COVID 19 Toolkit Please use this set of documents, posters and other information and share with your employees and contractors.
Information for Businesses
Florida businesses and employers should refer to the CDC for up-to-date guidance on business operations.
Recommended Strategies
>Actively encourage sick employees to stay home
>Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette, and hand hygiene for all employees
>Perform routine environmental cleaning.
>Advise employees before traveling to take preventative steps recommended by CDC.
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Cleaning Strategies For Owners & Managers
Cleaning products successful with Novel Covid 19 Coronavirus Click Here
Read More Home Cleaning & Business Cleaning Procedures From CDC
Home Dishwashers and Sanitation. All homes with automatic dishwashers in FL vacation rentals must post a warning according to the state statutes unless they have installed a commercial grade dishwasher. THIS IS THE CURRENT LAW. This notice must say: “NOTICE TO GUESTS: Dishware, glassware, kitchenware and/or utensils have been provided in this room as a guest convenience. These items have been cleaned within this room or unit using ordinary household dishwashing facilities and agents. They have not been sanitized according to Federal and State standards for public food service establishments.” See DBPR Bulletin
Sanitize ALL of your dishes and flatware & not just the ones that the guest used. Guests will touch many of the available forks while rustling around for the one they want – you MUST make sure those utensils have been through the dishwasher. Modern dishwashers have a sanitization setting, which means the water is hot enough to kill 99.9% of bacteria. This is generally 150 degrees Fahrenheit; 65 degrees Celsius.
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EXECUTIVE ORDERS
Governor Desantis Extends suspension of vacation rentals indefinately on 4/30/20 Read More
Governor DeSantis Reopen Plan Read More
Statewide stay at home order 20 - 91
The Governor amended 20 - 91 the Safer At Home Order issued yesterday, April 1, 2020 with the attached executive order clarifying section 4. The Safer At Home Order now clearly supersedes any COVID related local order or action that conflicts with the state’s Safer at Home Order. In addition, the Governor’s Office is working on a series of FAQs to help interpret the Safer At Home Order. Our office has submitted questions for the FAQs and will report them to you as soon as received.
Amendment 20-92
Executive order 20 - 86 Travel Restrictions Read More
Executive Order 20 - 87 Vacation rental suspension 14 days Read More
EO 20-80 ATTENTION LODGING PROVIDERS, Governor DeSantis has released Executive Order 20-80 which orders a quarantine of all guests arriving from NY, CT and NJ Read More This order was extended further to include all travelers arriving from area of stay at home orders.
EO 20-83 The Governor also issued Executive Order 20-83, directing the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer to issue a public health advisory to all persons over 65 years of age urging them to stay home and to take such other measures as necessary to limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19.
EO # 20-01 Broward County: Stay At Home Orders
Beaches, Bars & Restaurants
On March 17, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-68 to reduce density and crowds in restaurants, bars, nightclubs and beaches to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Please refer to Florida’s Department of Business & Professional Management DBPR Policy On Beaches, Bars & Rest. for more information and guidance.
Governor DeSantis, 3/20 Executive Order Closing bars and restaurants to inside service. Executive Order 20-71, released by Governor DeSantis directing all restaurants and food establishments within the State of Florida to suspend on-premises food and alcohol consumption for customers. ________________________________________________________
Click Here For More Information
County Emergency Orders - 3/26/2020
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Get Local Florida Assistance For Disaster Programs SBDC Staff Call and email SBDC Staff in your region.
SBDC Disaster Programs Watch SBDC Video & Program Help
Business Damage Assessment Survey for COVID-19
On March 12, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the activation of the Business Damage Assessment survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local business operations. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement appropriate relief programs can begin. Click here to take the survey.
SBA Disaster Assistance Loans For Impacted Companies Disaster Loan Program
Bridge Loan Program To help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s business community, Governor Ron DeSantis has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Please see below for more details.
Governor Ron DeSantis Activates Emergency Bridge Loan Program for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
For more information on the program, visit www.floridadisasterloan.org. For questions regarding the Emergency Bridge Loan Program, contact the Florida Small Business Development Center Network at 866-737-7232 or email Disaster@FloridaSBDC.org. The phone line will be answered during regular business hours; all voice mails and emails will be responded to within 24 hours.
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Reemployment Assistance: Governor DeSantis has reminded Floridians that if their employment has been negatively impacted because of mitigation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, these Floridians may be eligible to receive Reemployment Assistance. Click Here For More Information
Click Here Unemployment Assistance Guide
Don't fully lay off employees in tough times use the short term compensation program. The Short Time Compensation program helps employers retain their workforce in times of temporary slowdown by encouraging work sharing as an alternative to layoff. The program permits prorated reemployment assistance benefits to employees whose work hours and earnings are reduced as part of a Short Time Compensation plan to avoid total layoff of some employees. More information
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Travel Platform Policies
HomeAway
airbnb
Booking.com
Policy Docs CSA/Generalli Travel Insurance Coronavirus Pages
read the airbnb support program info Airbnb host program,
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Current Florida Booking Trends & Cancellations Provided By Key Data Dashboard.
Updated Florida Market Data updated almost daily.
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Visit Florida and other marketing organizations are currently adjusting marketing efforts to the US drive market and using funds from international campaigns to target US travelers. This technique may benefit your booking strategy moving forward. We urge you to review your current marketing plans and make adjustments as needed. VISIT FLORIDA COVID 19 Page
Visit Florida Trends & Data Page Click Here
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Oxford Economics Study Read More
Read More Trip Planning & Future Travel Study
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Our sponsors have created detailed resource pages for vacation rental managers and owners. Please take a look and explore the many programs that can assist you in this age of Coronavirus.
VRBO Covid 19 Support Pages For The Cares Act
VRBO Cares Act Support Page
Breezeway resource pages, Covid 19 Resources Cleaning, maintenance, communication and more.
Click To Read More Reduce The Risk Of Coronavirus With Safely