The Department of Health specimen collection site will begin accepting drivers with an appointment at 10 a.m. at the Bradenton Area Convention Center for potential COVID-19 patients with a prescription. The initial collection period will be Thursday through Sunday, March 29.  Manatee County Parks and Recreation will close Rose Park only to ensure public health safety and social distancing. The western end (sandy beach area access) of Emerson Point Preserve will be closed to vehicle traffic tomorrow at 7 a.m.  Other County parks and preserves remain open for outdoor recreation but persons must practice social distancing. Other County parks and preserves remain open. County leaders continue to stress the importance of social distancing across the community. 

The City of Palmetto will open the Riverside Boat Ramp daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for commercial fishing operations north of the Manatee River. South Coquina boat ramp will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day commercial fishing operations in south/western areas of the county. Commercial fishing operations with a Florida Saltwater Products License (SPL) for commercial fishing will be allowed to launch at the two boat ramps.

Manatee County strongly encourages those with medical conditions and those over the age of 65 take extra precautions to prevent infection of COVID-19 by staying at home and limiting social gatherings to 10 people or less.  Manatee County residents should work remotely as recommended by Governor DeSantis's Executive Order 20-83 and follow the CDC and DOH guidelines for frequent hand washing.

Anyone traveling to Florida from areas of substantial spread, to include New York, New Jersey and Connecticut should isolate or quarantine for 14 days from the time they were in those areas, as per Governor DeSantis's Executive Order 20-82.