Levy County Emergency Order 2020-026

March 31, 2020

The Levy County Board of County Commissioners met today and adopted an emergency order for Levy County to assist all citizens as we continue to battle the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The following are snips of the emergency order to include some of the most frequently asked questions. A full version of the emergency order can be viewed on the Levy County Department of Emergency Management’s web page at www.levydisaster.org.  

Sheriff McCallum said, “I want to ensure the safety of each and every citizen of Levy County and the order adopted by the Board of County Commissioners will help. The COVID-19 virus will not be stopped unless we continue to work together.  My deputies will respond to your calls and in efforts to keep everyone safe I ask you to please follow the new emergency order. Our deputies will use discretion when responding to calls related to the emergency order. However, we will use enforcement action if appropriate and necessary. I encourage all citizens’ cooperation in continuing to keep Levy County SAFE.”

Exact Quotes from the Emergency Order:

“1. All public or private gatherings that bring together more than ten people in the same room or indoor or outdoor space at the same time are prohibited, except for the limited purposes and venues permitted by this Emergency Order.

2. This Emergency Order does not include a gathering occurring in a single household or living unit.

3. This Emergency Order does not include gatherings in venues that provide essential goods and services, including grocery stores, facilities providing health care to humans or animals, gas stations, and banks/credit unions.

4. This Emergency Order does not include gatherings of people performing essential services, including: all government services and functions; food production, distribution and sale; construction projects; building management and maintenance; operation and maintenance of utilities including water, sewer, gas and electric; public transportation; road construction and maintenance; cybersecurity operations; flood control; solid waste and recycling collection, removal, and processing; telecommunications systems.

5. This Emergency Order does not include gatherings for government meetings held in government buildings or religious services in churches; provided that those gatherings include social distancing measures of maintaining a minimum of six feet between any attendees or participants.”

 What is exempt?

The order does not apply to the following:

 Gatherings in a single home or living unit

 Grocery Stores

 Health Care Facilities

 Health Care Facilities for animals

 Gas Stations

 Banks/Credit Unions

 Essential Government Services

 Food production and distribution/sales

 Construction projects

 Building management and maintenance

 Utility service operations

 Public transportation

 Road construction and maintenance

 Cybersecurity operations

 Flood control

 Solid waste and recycling collection, removal, and processing

 Telecommunications systems

The order also exempts the following gatherings, provided that those gatherings include social distancing measures of maintaining a minimum of 6 feet between any attendees or participants

 Government meetings held in government buildings

 Religious services in churches

 How long is this order going to be in place?

 This order will be in place as long as the county is under a state of emergency, OR, when cancelled by the Levy County BOCC.

What if I want my family or friends to come over to my home?

 This order does not apply to a gathering in a single family household or living units. The intent is to ensure that proper social distancing is being followed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, not to stop families from stopping normal functions.

What about my church service? Do we have to cancel it?

 Religious services inside a church are allowed to continue, as long as the church enforces social distancing measures of maintaining a minimum of 6 feet between any attendees or participants.

What if I want to have a party or family reunion somewhere other than a single household?

 A party or family reunion or other similar gatherings of 10 or more people outside of a single household or living unit would be prohibited by this order.

What if I witness someone breaking the rule?

 If you witness a group that you feel is violating the emergency order, you should contact the Levy County Sheriff’s Office NON EMERGENCY line at 352-486-5111. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BREAK UP THE GATHERING YOURSELF.

What about grocery stores? What if they aren’t practicing social distancing?

 Grocery stores are specifically exempt. It is up to the local store to set their rules for their customers.

My business has more than 10 employees. Do I have to shut down my business?

 No. The intention is not to shut down private business. We anticipate an amendment to clarity this better at the next board meeting.

Irresponsible Behavior

March 25, 2020

A few members of the East Williston community chose to promote a block party this past Saturday through social media that flies in the face of all of the CDC recommendations and the Governor’s Executive Orders. This party saw over 500 people jammed into a confined area in East Williston, possibly exposing those residents to the COVID-19 virus. Most party participants were not from Levy County.

Sheriff McCallum stated, “It is unfortunate that some citizens chose to ignore every recommendation of the CDC to help stop the spread of this deadly virus. I was forced to call additional Law Enforcement Officers to disperse the crowd which took over 45 minutes to clear from the area at 3:00 in the morning.” 

“I ask the citizens of this community and all citizens of Levy County to avoid these types of gatherings. Follow the CDC guidelines and please help keep Levy County HEALTHY!”

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.

Drug arrest made after driver attempted to elude Deputy

March 18, 2020

Deputy Mike Sinclair was patrolling his assigned zone yesterday when he clocked a vehicle driving at 13 miles an hour over the posted speed limit on CR 331A just east of Williston. He turned on his lights signaling the driver to pull over when the driver made an abrupt turn into a yard then drove through an adjacent field attempting to elude him. Deputy Sinclair saw the passenger door open and a black bag was thrown out by the passenger. The driver ultimately stopped in a nearby driveway immediately exited the vehicle, laid on the ground and surrendered.

Deputy Sinclair detained the driver identified as Robert Wilson (5/10/79) of Bradenton and his passenger, Doreen Hayston (10/3/64) of Fort White. The bag thrown from the moving car was recovered and found to contain a large quantity of marijuana (202 grams) and crack cocaine (22 ½ grams). 

Wilson was arrested for fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement. Hayston was also arrested for possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia in addition to an outstanding warrant for her arrest for possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Wilson and Hayston are being held at the Levy County Detention Facility. Wilson’s bond is set at $16,000.00 and Hayston’s bond is set at $57,200.00.