If you live in Jacksonville, FL, or are planning to visit in the near future, you may have questions concerning our local COVID-19 mandates or guidelines. Here are the current highlights for businesses in Jacksonville and across the region.
What is Jacksonville’s reopening plan?
Jacksonville is in Phase 3 of reopening which means that all businesses, including restaurants, bars, schools, and gyms are now open.
Is it mandatory to wear a mask in Jacksonville during COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes, Jacksonville is under a mandatory mask order at this time. Anyone age 6 and over is required to wear a face covering when inside a business that doesn’t allow for social distancing. The exceptions are people with breathing problems or respiratory disorders.
Are restaurants open in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville restaurants and bars are open and can operate at full capacity. Many restaurants, however, continue to limit their capacity voluntarily to promote a safer indoor dining experience.
Are gyms open in Jacksonville?
Yes, as of September 14, gyms and fitness centers have been given the go ahead to open at full capacity.
What businesses and services are open in Jacksonville?
All businesses to include retail establishments, supermarkets, restaurants, bars, salons, gyms, libraries, schools, movie theatres and concert halls are now open in Jacksonville. Stadiums are also open and allowed to operate at full capacity. Home games at TIAA Bank Field, however, limit attendance to 25% capacity with fans required to wear face coverings. The Georgia-Florida game scheduled for November 7 will also be at limited capacity.
Jacksonville’s public transit services are operational during the pandemic with adjusted routes and schedules to meet local demand.
What does Jacksonville define as “essential business” during COVID?
Essential businesses in Jacksonville have been defined as follows:
- Healthcare or public health establishments to include hospitals, urgent care, hospice care and senior care facilities
- Law enforcement
- Fire departments/first responders
- Food retailers to include supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, etc.
- Workers supporting the energy sector
- Workers supporting drinking water, wastewater & drainage infrastructure
- Workers supporting public transportation
- Workers supporting public works
Are large gatherings allowed in Jacksonville?
Florida’s Department of Health recommends that social or recreational gatherings be restricted to 50 people or less. People are encouraged to wear masks and social distance if attending any of these gatherings. Health officials discourage attendance at gatherings of over 50 people.
How will we keep businesses going during COVID?
Small brick and mortar retailers are opening online stores and offering contactless deliveries to make their products and services more available to the community.
Many businesses are adopting new revenue streams and offering training courses to employees so they can learn new skills to support their new business model.
Businesses are embracing new safety measures like Plexiglas barriers, social distancing floor markings and face covering requirements to help protect their workforce and customers. Many are employing professional cleaning companies to have all surfaces in offices and public spaces disinfected on an ongoing basis.
Restaurants are offering contactless food order pickups and deliveries to accommodate the needs of customers who prefer home dining. They’re also operating under limited capacity with social distancing indoor and outdoor seating to provide customers with a safer on-site dining experience.
