Tuesday, March 24, 2020

TO THE CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES OF LEVY COUNTY

As your Sheriff I wanted to take this opportunity to thank our citizens, businesses and civil leaders for the exceptional response and cooperation you are showing during these difficult times in regards to COVID-19.

As I moved around the county late last Friday afternoon and evening I saw a tremendous response from our restaurants and bars in immediately adhering to the Governor’s latest Executive Order (20-71).  As I continued over the weekend to check on some of our businesses I saw an even greater response in applying the requirements of the Executive Order.  I salute and thank all of our restaurant owners, managers and other business leaders in our county for making this effort to slow the spread of this pandemic.

To our citizens thank you for your willingness, to the best of your abilities, to adhere to the protective measures that we are asking you to follow.  These protective measures are so vitally important to the safety and welfare of all of us.  As we move forward in these uncertain and unprecedented times I would ask that all citizens follow all recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), our local Department of Health and mandates ordered in the Governor’s Executive Orders.  The list below will serve as a reminder of some protective steps to follow.  Additional protective steps and symptoms of COVID-19 can be found on the CDC’s website (https://www.cdc.gov).


·       Please do your best to socially distance with a distance of six (6) feet from other individuals. 
·       Please wash your hands often with soap and water for at least twenty (20) seconds.
·       Use sanitizers (with at least 60% alcohol) when washing hands is not an option.
·       Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
·       Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.  Immediately wash your hands.

Most importantly please consult with your doctor and self-isolate if you have the symptoms of COVID-19 and test if your doctor or medical provider recommends the same.

I want to also thank all of our medical professionals including our Department of Public Safety EMTs, Paramedics and all of our Fire/Rescue personnel for all they are doing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are working extremely hard with the pandemic issues on top of their normal everyday emergency situations.

In addition, I want to thank my Deputies, Detention Officers, 911 Telecommunicators and all of our administrative staff as well as all of our local Police and Fire/Rescue Departments for their continuing effort to serve our citizens during these difficult and precarious times.

Once again thank you to all of our citizens for remaining vigilant and cooperative as we battle COVID-19.  To all of our citizens, families, workers and especially our restaurant servers and workers who have been laid off or hours reduced our prayers are with you that we will be able to resolve this disease as soon as possible.

We are certainly blessed to live in Levy County and can be thankful that all of our leaders are dedicated to working together to keep our citizens safe.  From our Judges, County Commissioners, Constitutional Officers, Department of Health, and our Emergency Management Department, I can assure you, our citizens that we are doing everything in our power to protect and serve you.  But, the only reason that we have no confirmed cases in Levy County at this time is not because of us, but because of you, our citizens and your willingness to follow the precautions that are being both mandated and recommended.

To all of our citizens please stay safe and call us at the Sheriff’s Office (352-486-5111) if we can help you in any way.  Also please use the Emergency Operation Center website at www.levydisaster.com for the latest updated information on COVID-19 for Levy County.