Key West is opening its beaches and parks to residents starting today, Monday, April 27, according to a letter that Key West City Manager Greg Veliz circulated Monday morning.
“Although we are currently under a restrictive order as it pertains to businesses, we do understand the need to begin to allow our residents to resume some sense of normalcy while exercising personal responsibility and social distancing,” the letter states. “To that end, effective Monday, April 27, 2020, the City of Key West will be opening its parks, beaches and recreational facilities to local residents. While playgrounds and water features will remain closed for now, we hope that by easing some restrictions on public space our residents can enjoy the natural environment Key West has to offer. Residents are encouraged to responsibly distance themselves from each other while spending time outside of their homes.”
Veliz also emphasized that Key West officials “wholeheartedly support the maintenance of the informational checkpoint in the Upper Keys and envision Key West’s businesses serving a local clientele in the early phases of our recovery.”
In addition to the beach reopening announcement, Veliz emphasized that city officials have been meeting and working with local business owners “to develop an outlook for our resilient recovery,” which will be a phased-in approach.
Veliz also acknowledged that the city can do better in communicating its efforts with the public.
“Often, although staff is working feverishly, we fall short in relaying these efforts to our citizens,” Veliz wrote. “In troubling times, we must do better communicating and reassuring citizens that your City government is moving to restart our economy in a responsible manner.”
The reopening of nonessential retail and personal services businesses likely will occur first as part of the next phase of reopening, although no dates were announced for those reopenings.
“We are closely monitoring all announcements from the governor so we can respond in a manner that reflects the unique needs of Key West,” Monday’s letter states. “We anticipate that we will soon have the ability to lift the closure of non-essential businesses. These businesses and their customers should expect all the protective measures currently in place at essential businesses, such as masks and enhanced sanitation, will also be necessary.”
But, Veliz added, the city’s ability to reopen such businesses is dependent on the state lifting the current stay-at-home order.
“The City will continue to collaborate with our community to be ready to open businesses when allowed to do so. We understand these are very difficult times for our residents and that you are depending on your city government for answers and actions.
“Rest assured we are planning our actions based upon public safety and economic stability, and we will provide answers as they become available. As you know the City of Key West acted swiftly in the early days of this pandemic to ensure the safety of our residents and it is our promise that we will act in the same manner as we approach our recovery,” Veliz writes.
