Nassau County Emergency Management
Press Release
CONTACT: MARTHA OBERDORFER
[email protected]
03/16/2020 1730 HOURS
The “OneNassau” Joint Information System (JIS) is monitoring the rapidly changing situation in order to provide timely, accurate, unified messaging to our residents.
Current Situation in Nassau County:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended as of 03/15/20: Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried in adherence to guidelines for hand hygiene, social distancing, and protecting vulnerable populations; when feasible, organizers might modify events to be virtual. This recommendation does not apply to the day-to-day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses, and is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials.
- Elections will proceed as scheduled on Tuesday, March 17th, at all fourteen county polling sites.
- Nassau County Schools reopen March 30th
- Private businesses may remain open as they see fit
- Nassau County government facilities, parks, and beaches remain open
- The City of Fernandina Beach has cancelled all board and commission meetings and all CoFB Parks and Recreation-sponsored childcare services, pool facilities, and athletic league events; CoFB parks, beaches, and government offices remain open; however, social distancing recommendations remain in effect
- Nassau BOCC convened in the EOC at 4:30 p.m. and decided to postpone hearings and board meetings for the next 30 days to reduce the need for large in-person gatherings.
- Also covered during the BOCC meeting:
- County law enforcement and fire rescue are responding to calls for service under normal operations
- Libraries will close to the public at 5 p.m. today and programs are suspended through April 6th
- Visitors will not be allowed in County Fire Stations after 5 p.m. today through April 6th; however, Fire Rescue personnel will meet residents needing medical assistance at the station door. All with medical emergencies should still call 9-1-1.
- Utilization of Community Centers and other County facilities will be suspended at 5 p.m. today through April 6th o Sports Complexes, including practices, games, lighting, and field reservations, are suspended as of 5 p.m. today through April 6th
- UF IFAS has suspended all 4-H activities through April 30th, Landscape Matters classes and Plant clinics for the next 2-3 weeks
- Animal Control has suspended owner surrenders and cancelled adoption events; will suspend stray pick-ups once they meet 80% capacity but will continue to respond to emergency calls for service.
- Take everyday precautions to reduce disease transmission: If you are at risk or have underlying health conditions, avoid crowds and maintain
- Stay home, away from others whenever ill
- Cough/sneeze into your elbow, sleeve, or a tissue (and throw the used tissue into the trash)
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place; if soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching common surfaces in public places – door handles, ATM buttons, handrails, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces to remove germs every day (e.g., tables and counters, doorknobs, light switches, keyboards and mice, faucets, remotes, and cell phones)
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is the “clearing house” for Nassau County’s JIS and posts incident information regularly on the NassauEM Facebook Page and www.NassauFL-EM.com website.
If you have questions, please call the EOC’s information line 904-548-0900 or message the EOC staff through the NassauEM Facebook page. If you suspect you have been exposed to someone known to have the novel Coronavirus, call the DOH-Nassau health professionals at 904-875-6100