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Perdido Key beaches & vacation rentals to open May 1st in Florida
John Mullen • Apr 28, 2020
Popular federal & state beaches have yet to be reopened in Florida
Vacation Rentals ban to end April 30th
“The facts are pretty clear that the infection and hospitalization rates in the Pensacola Metropolitan Statistical Area are well below what we were told they would be,” District 2 Commissioner Doug Underhill said. “Our medical professionals are telling us that they’ve got plenty of supplies on hand to handle what happens so it’s time to get back to business.”
It comes with a bit of a downer, however. The county controls a small amount of the beachfront in Escambia and others have yet to say they will open beaches as well.
“One of the important parts of the Perdido community is that the Gulf Islands National Seashore which has historically always said they would follow the lead of the local community,” Underhill said. “They appear to be backing off on that a little bit which I think is really unfortunate. The citizens have to understand most of the beach accesses on Perdido Key are either federal or state. We sent a letter to them asking please follow our lead and open your facilities as well. It remains to be seen if they’ll do that.”
Those closed include the popular Rosemond Johnson Beach in Perdido Key which is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. There are three county beach accesses on Perdido Key, one at Casino Beach and several on Santa Rosa Island, Underhill said.
Florida Gov. Ron Santis issued a ban on vacation rentals in March. That ban will end on April 30, Underhill said.
The commission didn’t address opening nonessential businesses or restaurants but Underhill said he favored opening those up as well.
“The board refused to pick that up,” Underhill said. “I was really disappointed. They basically punted on it in that the governor will be probably speaking to it between now and (April) 30. Rather than address it all they basically said let’s wait and see what the governor says on Thursday.”
According to local officials the only store on Perdido Key open south of the Barrs bridge is Surf Style which has some produce and groceries.
“It’s only to-go right now,” Underhill said. “No barbershops, no hairdressers. Small retail is still open and there’s no limitation on that. Obviously, we expect people to engage in the proper social distancing.”
The commissioners will see how the reopening works between now and their next meeting on May 7 and address the issue again.
Alabama decided to reopen its beaches on Thursday at 5 p.m. and eased restrictions on retail businesses except for restaurants and barber shops and hair salons.
“The beginning of our new safer-at-home order will be the first phase of what we hope and expect will be a multi-phase reopening of our state,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “We know what we are announcing today will please some and make others frustrated that we are not going further at this time. Our job must be as always to find the right balance, keeping our people safe and healthy as well as focused on the economic health of the state.”
Restaurant owners were among those disappointed but State Health Officer Scott Harris said the state hasn’t hit the guideline of 14 days of decreased numbers required to resume on-site dining.
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