On March 19, Monroe County made the decision to close all hotels, campgrounds, short-term rentals and other lodging establishments as of Sunday, March 22 at 6 p.m.
County officials met March 20, to clarify the order.
Essentially, anyone who is in a short term rental — be that a timeshare condo, marina slip, mooring ball, house, apartment, hotel room or RV park — must leave by Sunday night.
The only exception to that rule are leisure and vacation renters who are occupying a 28-day rental (monthly) or seasonal rental (multi-monthly). Someone who is halfway through a month long rental, for example, can stay and leave at the end of the contract. Some have asked whether that long-term rental can be extended for another month or so. At this time that is not recommended because Monroe County’s Emergency Management could decide to implement more stringent measures and those renters would be asked to leave the Keys as well.
The goal is to reduce the number of people in the Florida Keys.
“Protecting our residents is our top priority and we really didn’t see a scenario in which this wouldn’t eventually have to happen,” County Administrator Roman Gastesi said.
However, this order does not apply to essential workers from outside the county. For example, construction workers who are working on a current project will be allowed to stay. The same is true for healthcare workers and other “essential” categories.
At this time, Overseas Highway is still open and there are no checkpoints. Keys law enforcement officers will soon be posting highway signage stating that the islands are closed to all visitors.
Key Colony Beach has asked all visitors who are renting for six month or less to leave, effective Tuesday, March 24. Again, it doesn’t apply to essential workers or owners of a primary or secondary home.
