Earlier this afternoon, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the State of Florida is being shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic.  Historic City News subscribers must now stay home unless they’re going out for “essential services or activities.”

Michael Ryan, Director of Communications for St. Johns County, informed local Historic City News reporters that St Johns County Beaches are now closed to pedestrians.  We previously reported when the county banned vehicles from accessing the beach and closed all beach parking lots earlier last week.

The City of St Augustine informed Historic City News this week that Director of Finance, Mark Robert Litzinger, who turns 52-years-old on May 4th, will be retiring on May 15, 2020.  Hired at 23-years-old, Litzinger will have served the City of St Augustine for 28 years, 9 months.

Changes due to the novel coronavirus pandemic can be challenging and stressful for everyone. Know that the Disaster Distress Helpline is available for you and your loved ones in case you need to talk. Crisis counselors are standing by 24-hours daily.  Call 1-800-985-5990 / TTY: 1-800-846-8517 or Text: “TalkWithUs” to 66746. 

Communications Specialist Sarah Butler reported to Historic City News that today at 4:00 p.m., a press conference is being held to discuss St. Johns County’s response to COVID-19 the novel coronavirus disease.  The meeting will be held in the Emergency Operations Center located at 100 EOC Drive in St. Augustine.

In response to the impacts of COVID-19 in our community, the county is taking additional measures to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our residents, visitors, and workforce, according to St Johns County Communications Specialist Lauren Ferro.

Communications and Events Coordinator Melinda Conlon reported to Historic City News that on Friday, March 20, 2020 the City of St Augustine Beach held a Special Emergency Commission Meeting to discuss the COVID-19 Health Crisis as it relates to Governor Ron DeSantis’s March 17, 2020 Executive Order 20-68. Additionally, the newly added Executive Orders 20-69 and 20-71 were also covered.

Today, Monday March 23, 2020, is the day that vehicular access to all public St Johns County beaches and public beach parking lots is – and remains – prohibited until further notice; that according to an announcement from Hunter S. Conrad, the newly appointed County Administrator.