Clay County expands from social distancing to physical distancing

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – With 35 cases of COVID-19 in Clay County, four deaths and a dozen people hospitalized and some infections that could have come from community spread, leaders on Monday urged not just social distancing, but to keep at least six feet away from everyone.

Starting at sundown Monday, the county added to restrictions on public parks and facilities, with playground and sports facilities being closed to public use starting at sundown Monday.

“We need to make sure and stay away from those groups. So our younger generation is not going to contract this and pass it on to our more vulnerable populations,” Clay County Emergency Manager John Ward said.

The greenspaces will remain open, as well as boat ramps for people to enjoy the outdoors -- as long as they do it in small groups. If someone notices repeated violations of gatherings of more than 10 people, they are asked to call the county’s call center at 877-252-9362.

“It’s not an enforcement issue, but law enforcement ... will go by there and remind people to break up those large groups," Ward said.

“Kind of a shame because children ... they like to go to the park,” said resident Jeanne Gionett. “I have a 7-year-old granddaughter that comes down here. But no more.”

Clay County schools resume Tuesday after an extended spring break with all students learning from home. Interim Superintended David Broskie likened it to the first day of school in August.

“That nervous excitement is out there for teachers, for parents and students as we enter into a new mode of learning," Broskie said.

Information about the distance-learning process, tutorials on the technology, a survey about Chromebook distribution and information about the distribution of school breakfasts and lunches is available at OneClay.net/coronavirus. Drive-thru Chromebook distribution for those who have enrolled online continues through Friday.

Small businesses impacted by the closures and restrictions can visit ClayChamber.com to help get help applying for SBA grants and loans.

RELATED | Background on Clay County closures, restrictions and status

Call centers

• The Clay County Emergency Operations Call Center is available to residents daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 877-252-9362.
• The State of Florida Department of Health 24-hour Call Center is available at 866-779-6121.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

• Clay County businesses in need of assistance should register with the Clay Chamber of Commerce at https://www.claychamber.com/.
• The Chamber will be hosting two COVID-19 Disaster Relief Support for Small Businesses webinars each week to help the business community get through the ongoing closures.

Government closures

• Green Cove Springs - https://www.greencovesprings.com/ - 904-297-7500 - City playgrounds and sports fields will be closed as of sundown Monday, March 30, 2020. For questions, email customerservice@greencovesprings.com.
• Keystone Heights - https://www.keystoneheights.us/ - 352-473-4807- All public restrooms, playground equipment, tennis courts, basketball courts, and the dog park will be closed effective Monday, March 30, 2020.
• Orange Park - www.TownOfOrangePark.com - 904-264-9565 - The Town of Orange Park has closed all Town parks and canceled all park facility reservations through at least April 15, 2020.
• Penney Farms - The Town of Penney Farms playground park will be closed effective Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Town Hall business will be conducted by appointment only, call 904-529-9078.
• Clay County Tax Collector’s Office - https://www.claycountytax.com/ - 904-269-6320
• Clay County Property Appraiser - https://ccpao.com/ - 904-269-6305
• Clay County Clerk of Courts & Clay County Courthouse - https://www.clayclerk.com/covid-19-related-updates/ - 904-269-6302. Many court functions can be accomplished online at www.clayclerk.com
• Supervisor of Elections - www.ClayElections.gov - 904-269-6350
• Clay County Sheriff’s Office - https://www.claysheriff.com/
• Florida Department of Health in Clay County Administrative Office in Green Cove Springs - 904-529-2800
• All County Board, Committee and other County meetings are canceled through April 13, 2020
• Clay County Government Switchboard - www.ClayCountyGov.com - 904-284-6300
• Building Department - 904-529-5394
• Health Department - 904-529-3784
• Planning & Zoning - 904-541-3814
• SHIP - 904-278-4700
• Code Enforcement - No public appointments. Please call 904-284-6310 or email Code.enforcement@claycountygov.com.
• Engineering and Public Works - 904-284-6335
• Clay County Animal Services - 904-269-6342
• UF/IFAS Extension - 904-284-6355
• A secure drop box for payments and paperwork is located in the main lobby of the Clay County Administrative Building at 477 Houston Street in Green Cove Springs.
• Clay County Public Libraries - http://www.claycountygov.com/departments/library/distance-learning-resources
• Clay County Animal Services - https://www.claycountygov.com/departments/animal-services - 904-269-6342

Senior centers

Call your local senior center for assistance:

• Orange Park Center, 414 Stowe Ave. – 904-269-4731
• Green Cove Springs/Clayton and Mildred Revels Center, 604 Walnut St. – 904-284-3134
• Middleburg Senior Center – 904-291-3520
• Keystone Heights Senior Center – 352-473-7121

Additional Health Department Resources

• The Florida Department of Health in Clay County Bear Run Clinic located at 3229 Bear Run Boulevard, Orange Park, will remain open regular hours, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. through 5 p.m.
• Florida birth and death certificates - www.vitalchek.com
• The Department of Health’s Women, Infant and Children’s (WIC) - 904-529-2800

Curbside Collection

Curbside Collection services for garbage, yard waste and recyclables in Clay County will continue to operate as scheduled. Clay County and Advanced Disposal are asking residents to take two simple steps to keep collection running smoothly and help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

1. Bag all household garbage before placing it curbside to reduce exposure to waste.
2. Place all materials curbside the night before your scheduled pickup. Trucks may arrive earlier than usual in some areas due to staggered shifts.

These two things can help minimize the exposure to sanitation workers and help practice physical distancing in staffing.

• Recyclables should be placed securely in the recycle bin and not bagged.
• Residents are encouraged to utilize curbside collection services to avoid long lines at the Rosemary Hill Solid Waste Management Facility.

Private sector status

For information on the status of locals stores and businesses, visit the Clay County Board of County Commissioners social media pages at www.facebook.com/ClayCtyEm and www.twitter.com/ClayCo_Fl.

• Restaurants - Clay County officials are asking restaurants to re-evaluate the food pick up process to ensure lines of customers do not form, with less than 6 feet of physical distance between people.