EMERGENCY ACTION AND SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY ORDER EXTENDED |
At their Tuesday, August 24, 2021 Regular Meeting, the Alachua County Commission voted unanimously to extend both their Emergency Action, declaring a Local State of Emergency, and their Short-Term Emergency Order, requiring masking indoors in businesses. As with the initial Order, this renewal is in reaction to the alarming and dangerous spike in COVID-19 cases and the enormous strain on our residents, businesses, hospitals personnel, and first responders.
Changes in the Order include:
- Raising the masking age from 2 years old to under six years old
- Transitioning from a strictly educational effort to the ability to issue citations
- Delivering signs to businesses that emphasize proper mask usage
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Monoclonal Antibody Site in Alachua County |
Governor DeSantis announced the opening of a new monoclonal antibody site at Fellowship Church (16916 NW US Hwy 441, High Springs). It is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How do monoclonal antibodies work?
Monoclonal antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond more effectively to the COVID-19 virus.
Monoclonal antibodies are a treatment authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Monoclonal antibodies are for use in adult and pediatric patients (12 and older) who have either been diagnosed or exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are at high risk for progression to severe illness, hospitalization, or death from COVID-19.
In clinical trials, this treatment resulted in a 70% reduction in risk for hospitalization and death and resulted in an 82% reduction in risk for contracting COVID-19 for people who were exposed to the virus by other members of their household.
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Storm Damaged Trail Closure Update |
Turkey Creek Preserve (6300 N.W. 93rd Avenue, Gainesville) is now open to public access (as of 5 p.m. on Friday, August 27, 2021). Three sections of trail are closed due to unsafe conditions, including flooding, erosion, and hazardous trees. Loop routes are still possible with open trails. Visitors should carefully review trail closure maps posted at preserve trailheads before beginning their trip. For visitor safety, please respect preserve and trail closures and stay off of closed trail areas.
All other county preserves with public access are open, but many have standing water on portions of the trails.
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County Historical Commission Vacancy |
Alachua County Animal Services is hosting their annual “Summer Lovin’ Adoption Event” sponsored by the Student Chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians and The Wagmore Foundation. The Summer Lovin’ event is on Saturday, August 21, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Alachua County Animal Services headquarters (3400 N.E. 53rd Avenue, Gainesville). The event is free and open to the public, but masks are required.
During the event, all adoption fees are waived. There will be food, music, free goody bags for adopters, and more.
“We will have puppies, kittens, cats, and dogs all looking for their forever families,” said Alachua County Animal Services Shelter Supervisor Jane Grantman. “Together, we can empty the shelter. Summer days are drifting away, so don’t miss out on this rockin’ event.”
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Visitors Now Required to Wear a Mask and Book an Appointment |
Effective immediately, the Alachua County Property Appraiser’s Office will re-implement the indoor mask mandate for all visitors.
This change has been implemented following the short-term emergency order (Short-Term Emergency Order 2021-25) unanimously approved by the Alachua County Commission on August 19, 2021, at 5 p.m.
The Alachua County Property Appraiser’s offices in Gainesville and Alachua are open by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please visit the Alachua County Property Appraiser’s Office website. Customers can reach the Main (Gainesville) office number at 352-374-5230 or the Alachua office number 386-418-6157.
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Health Department COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Updates |
COVID-19 testing is by appointment only for those who are experiencing symptoms (fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), and are available at the Alachua County Health Department’s East Gainesville location (224 S.E. 24th Street, Gainesville) from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., all week, including Saturday and Sunday.
COVID-19 vaccinations are available on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. COVID-19 vaccination appointments are available by calling 352-334-7910.
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September Environmental Horticulture Programs |
Herb Gardening – September 7, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a Zoom webinar.
This program teaches how to grow, harvest, store, and use as a salt substitute in food.
There is no registration fee, but participants must register online. This program is limited to 500 participants.
Pollinator Gardening – September 21, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a Zoom webinar.
This class teaches the best practices and plant selections for bringing in a variety of pollinators (birds, bees, butterflies, beetles, and more). This presentation is focused on the Alachua County area and climate.
There is no registration fee, but participants must register online. This program is limited to 500 participants. |
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