Beaches close, resorts stay open amid coronavirus precautions

By Joe Opaleski
On Assignment with
Fernandina Observer
March 24, 2020

Correction to the article below.  St Johns County closed its beach parking lots on March 20, not its beaches. We have corrected the error.

FERNANDINA— Last week, state-ordered social distancing limited waterfront access in many parts of the Sunshine State. But Amelia Island’s largest resorts remain open, while our beaches are closed.

Resorts have been closing up and down the east coast after the State of Florida mandated stricter social distancing. Over the weekend, a letter from the Office of the City Manager declared Fernandina Beach would close its Amelia Island beaches until further notice.

Omni hotels, a national resort chain, said they could close 7 of their locations across the country to stop the spread of the coronavirus, in a press release on their website. But their beachfront resort at Amelia Island will remain open despite the restrictions.

The same message assured guests that Omni’s cleaning materials “meet or exceed industry standards.” They will continue to supply hand sanitizer at their front desks and supply resort associates with sanitizing wipes to keep surfaces clean.

Another Amelia Island resort, The Ritz-Carlton, will also remain open despite these new restrictions. Joe Murphy, the hotel’s director of public relations, had “no comment” on any precautions the Ritz will take in the coming weeks, but noted that cleanliness is common practice at their location.

In contrast to Nassau County resorts, the Lodge and Club at Ponte Vedra Beach announced it will close all hotels and related businesses to prevent spread of the coronavirus. They are refunding guests with outstanding reservations and hope to reopen in the next 30 days.

*St. Johns County closed its “beach parking lots on March 20, one day before Nassau ordered its cities to do the same.

Joe Opaleski

 

Joe Opaleski is a Poynter-trained journalist with experience covering breaking news, crime and higher education at his college newspaper: The Current. He also worked at the Tampa Bay Times covering local food and drink. Joe enjoys surfing, hiking, craft beer and good journalism.

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Steve Karl
Steve Karl (@guest_56923)
4 years ago

A little government overreach never hurt anyone. Private property now under complete control of incompetent county government.

Jamie Triebwasser
Jamie Triebwasser (@guest_56927)
4 years ago

Are the restaurants at the resorts open? If so, are they non- compliant with state law/CDC recommendations?

Lisa Schneider
Lisa Schneider (@guest_56943)
4 years ago

I believe 4 of the 9 restaurants at Omni are still open. They are complying with the current “to go” only restrictions that are placed on all restaurants in FL.

Diana Herman
Diana Herman(@dianah1229)
4 years ago

Shame on these resorts putting profits over lives. So, now we have New Yorkers coming down here escaping a dire situation in their state and bringing the virus with them.

Peggy Bulger
Peggy Bulger(@peggy-bulger1949gmail-com)
4 years ago

Governor DeSantis needs to follow the advice of medical experts and lock down the state of Florida. We need to all be sheltering in place and we don’t need the old folks equivalent of spring breakers coming down to this tiny island during a pandemic. The Omni and Ritz-Carlton are putting us all in harms way. What are the managers thinking?? A little hand sanitizer will help? Travelers from out of town can carry the virus undetected for two weeks, and no hand sanitizer is going to stop that contagion. We have a small hospital on the island, with limited resources (word has it that we have FIVE respirators on Amelia Island). In my opinion, we need to close the bridges and shelter in place.

regina johnson
regina johnson (@guest_56967)
4 years ago
Reply to  Peggy Bulger

am sooo ditresed with Gov now -I voted and supported him but he has been so weak and frightful now –

Paula clarkson
Paula clarkson(@paulaclarkson)
4 years ago

It’s Thursday 25th Ritz has complimentary bar with bartender at entrance for golfers . Weird !!!
What the heck??!! I’m very confused.

Lisa Schneider
Lisa Schneider (@guest_56944)
4 years ago
Reply to  Paula clarkson

It’s Wednesday. Don’t worry, though, we’re all confused! 😉

Thomas Lohman
Thomas Lohman (@guest_56938)
4 years ago

Perhaps lawsuits against either establishment by anyone that contracts coronavirus after this point on Amelia Island if the establishment have guests from “hot spots” would have merit. Obviously only financial results matter to them so it would be up to them to decide if the financial risk is worth the revenue. Going against all medical advice and encouraging visitors from these hot spots to come here thus exposing the Island’s residents to people who have an higher than average chance to be infected with coravirus would seem to be grounds for liability. Especially, if the hotel isn’t enforcing compliance with the Governor’s “self-isolation” by requiring these visitors to remain in their rooms.
As much as I hate to say it, this would be a great case for the the “for the people” type lawyers.

Janet Michea
Janet Michea(@jmicheacomcast-net)
4 years ago
Reply to  Thomas Lohman

Could we not start a lawsuit prior to an infection? It’s time for profits before people to stop!

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
4 years ago
Reply to  Janet Michea

Go right ahead Janet as anyone can file a lawsuit. But it is going to be difficult to prove damages before the fact or that you are a directly affected party.

Amy
Amy (@guest_56942)
4 years ago

Idiocy and greed and complete disregard for our area and its people.

Teri D. Springer
Teri D. Springer (@guest_56950)
4 years ago

I’m confused. Is this saying that guests at the two resorts are still allowed to be on the beach while those of us who live here are not??