St. Johns County Declares Local State of Emergency, Activates Emergency Operations Center in Response to COVID-19

MARCH 17th, 2020
​St. Johns County Declares Local State of Emergency, Activates
Emergency Operations Center in Response to COVID-19

St. Johns County, Fl – In response to the COVID-19 disease, the St. Johns County Board of
County Commissioners declared a Local State of Emergency on March 17, 2020. The declaration
allows the County to access the resources necessary to prepare for, and respond to, the potential
impacts of COVID-19 disease within the community. In addition, St. Johns County elevated the
Emergency Operations Center with a level two partial activation to assist in the response.
The Local State of Emergency declaration allows St. Johns County to take actions necessary to
effectively respond to emergency conditions and mitigate disaster effects in an expedited manner
through the acquisition of equipment, the securing of contracts, and qualification for FEMA
reimbursement. The Board of County Commissioners, St. Johns County Administration, and
Emergency Management Staff are responding to the development of COVID-19 within the United
States, the state of Florida, and St. Johns County, following recommended CDC guidelines, and
preparing accordingly.

In addition, the County is actively communicating and coordinating with all key partners including
the Florida Department of Health as the lead agency, Flagler Health+, the St. Johns County School
District, St. Johns County Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, the City of St.
Augustine, and the City of St. Augustine Beach. St. Johns County has a comprehensive emergency
management plan in place and is confident in local first responders and the medical community's
ability to respond to the virus. It is recommended that all residents and visitors follow CDC
infection prevention guidelines including social distancing, washing hands often, avoiding contact
with sick people, cleaning high-touch surfaces, and staying home when sick.
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For more information, please visit www.cdc.gov or www.floridahealth.gov, call 1.866.779.6121,
or email covid-19@flhealth.gov. In addition, the St. Johns County Emergency Operations Center
can be contacted between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at 904.824.5550.