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The Chamber Blog
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 (11:45AM Central Time) – The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce created this page to share updates with our members, residents, and visitors. Please note: This is for informational purposes only. Please listen to all Federal and State agencies for official updates and recommendations. Information is subject to change rapidly.
We encourage members to do business with other members. Some companies have followed policies by reducing contact, reducing services, and/or hours of operation. Please call the business for updates. Support local businesses by shopping local, ordering local, or buying gift cards from local businesses. For a list of businesses in Bay County, please visit our membership directory.
Short Term Rental Status:
State officials have approved the Bay County plan to reopen short-term rentals effective immediately. This is great news for our members and the community. Click here to view a copy of Bay County’s approved plan. More information coming soon.
State-wide Closures:
Governor Ron DeSantis announced The Safe, Smart, Step-By-Step Plan for Florida’s Recovery and Phase 1 of reopening. A copy of the full presentation and additional clarification with FAQs for Executive Order 20-112 are provided. Some highlights include:
Full Phase One Plan starting on Monday, 18, 2020
• Movie theaters cannot reopen at this time
• Bars cannot open at this time
• Restaurants can move from 25% to 50% capacity and outdoor seating
• Retail can move from 25% to 50% capacity
• Gyms/Fitness Clubs can open
• Museums and Libraries can move from 25% to 50% capacity
• Sports venues can open
• Hair and nail salons are open, by appointment only
• Most State Parks are open, including St. Andrews and Camp Helen, but not at full capacity.
• Schools remain distance learning for remainder of school year
• Visits to senior living facilities are prohibited
• Elective surgeries can resume
• Individuals should avoid close contact with people outside the home
• Avoid socializing in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for physical distancing
• Face masks are recommended for all of those in face-to-face interactions and where you can’t social distance
To view the Executive Order click here.
City of Panama City Beach:
• Sandy beaches are open all day
• All public gatherings at City facilities and property with more than 10 people are prohibited indefinitely. City council meetings allow 25% capacity.
• City recreational sports fields will reopen May 16; tournaments will be allowed to begin June 1. CDC guidelines still in effect.
• The Community Center at Lyndell Center is closed indefinitely
• Limit public interaction with City services in: Utility billing, Code Enforcement, HR, Civil Service, building inspection, routine police and fire contact
Unincorporated Bay County:
• Sandy beaches are open all day starting May 1st.
Bay County School District:
The USDA approved our waiver so parents DO NOT have to have the children with them to pick up meals IF they bring some form of identification/proof for each child they are picking meals up for. So, if you’re not bringing your child to a site or bus stop, you’ll need to bring one of the following: 1.) School ID, 2.) Birth certificate/adoption paperwork/guardianship paperwork, 3.) Doctor’s bill or other paperwork documenting your relationship to the child. You can get an idea of when they will be in your neighborhood by visiting our website at: http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/meals
Resources:
Find CDC information on resources for large community events & mass gatherings here. All Panama City Beach Chamber events will adhere to their guidelines.
To follow are resources to help keep you up to date on Covid-19. A new website has been created by in partnership by Bay County and FDOH to have more information available. bayhealthcovid19.com. You can follow DOH Bay on Nextdoor.com. Text Bay Health to 888777. For self-screening tools and up to date information on the State level visit floridahealthcovid19.gov. The number for DOH Bay is (850) 872-4455. The number for Pancare is (850) 215-4181.
State of Florida Health Department information with list of confirmed cases: floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/
Bay County Health Department with local updates: bay.floridahealth.gov
View our beautiful live beach cams: pcbeach.org/live-beach-webcams/
Disease prevention:
• If you are 65 or older or have underlying health conditions please stay home.
• Practice social distancing of at least 6 feet.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you cough or sneeze, do it into your sleeve or use a tissue. Dispose of the tissue immediately into a closed rubbish bin, and then clean your hands.
• Clean surfaces regularly with disinfectant. For example: Always clean kitchen benches and work desks.
If you feel unwell:
• Avoid traveling if you have a fever and/or cough.
• Once you get home, make contact with a health professional and tell them about where you have been.
• If you feel unwell, stay at home and call your healthcare provider.
Managing rising anxiety or stigma:
We know that your communities may be feeling anxious, stressed or frightened. Here are some important things to take into account and share:
• It’s normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or angry during a crisis. Talking to people you trust can help, like friends, family or your fellow community members.
• If you must stay at home, maintain a healthy lifestyle, including proper diet, sleep, exercise. Keep up with loved ones at home by email and phone and connect with your larger Facebook community for support.
• Don’t use smoking, alcohol or other drugs to deal with your emotions.
• If you feel overwhelmed, talk to a health worker or counselor. Have a plan on where to go to and how to seek help for physical and mental health needs if required.
• Get the facts. Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk so that you can take reasonable precautions. Find a credible source you can trust such as the WHO website or a local or state public health agency.
• When posting in your communities, be sure to share the latest facts from credible sources, avoid hyperbole and show solidarity with affected people by opening your community up to the stories of people who have been affected by the virus. Of course, keep in mind to not share information about someone else’s health concerns (such as someone affected by COVID-19 without their permission).
Check out the video highlights Miller AV put together with all the Ambassador events from October 2017! We would like to thank all the Ambassadors and Rhett Miller from Miller AV for welcoming all the new members to the Panama City Beach Chamber! Check out the video!
Check out the video highlights Miller AV put together with all the Ambassador events from September 2017! We would like to thank all the Ambassadors and Rhett Miller from Miller AV for welcoming all the new members to the Panama City Beach Chamber! Check out the video!
TAGS:
@HaneyTechnical
@BFGHSC
@losantoPC
@Netchex
Check out the video highlights Miller AV put together with all the Ambassador events from August 2017! We would like to thank all the Ambassadors and Rhett Miller from Miller AV for welcoming all the new members to the Panama City Beach Chamber! Check out the video!
TAGS:
@Ecdsm
@ECDSPA
@GirlsIncofBayCounty
@PowurPBC
@DiegosThomasDr
@baymedical
@baysidedesignandphoto
Check out the video highlights Miller AV put together with all the Ambassador events from July 2017! We would like to thank all the Ambassadors and Rhett Miller from Miller AV for welcoming all the new members to the Panama City Beach Chamber! Check out the video!
TAGS:
@backbeachbarbecue
@TeleperformanceGlobal
@softubinc
@tharcofthebay
@theshrimpboatrestaurant
@ShanasHealingMassage
@gulfcoastmedicalcenter
-Krispy Kreme
Check out the video highlights Miller AV put together with all the Ambassador events from June 2017! We would like to thank all the Ambassadors and Rhett Miller from Miller AV for welcoming all the new members to the Panama City Beach Chamber! Check out the video!
TAGS:
@tazikispierpark
@newyorkpizzapierpark
@BerkshirehathawayPCB
@kellysyoungsdjoy
@edwardjones
@gulfcoastmedicalcenter
@baymedical
–Osiris Catering Company
Check out the video highlights Miller AV put together with all the Ambassador events from May 2017! We would like to thank all the Ambassadors and Rhett Miller from Miller AV for welcoming all the new members to the Panama City Beach Chamber! Check out the video!
TAGS:
@DreamFindersCoachingLLC
@UWNWFL
@OmicronGraniteandTilePCB
@InkTrax
@939playFM
@HolyNativityEpiscopalSchool
Check out the video highlights Miller AV put together with all the Ambassador events from April 2017! We would like to thank all the Ambassadors and Rhett Miller from Miller AV for welcoming all the new members to the Panama City Beach Chamber! Check out the video!
TAGS:
@DreamFindersCoachingLLC
@UWNWFL
@OmicronGraniteandTilePCB
@InkTrax
@939playFM
@HolyNativityEpiscopalSchool
Check out the great video Miller AV put together with all the Ambassador events from in March 2017! We would like to thank all the Ambassadors and Rhett Miller from Miller AV for welcoming all the new members to the Panama City Beach Chamber! Check out the video!
Oh, Happy Day!
Hear what our featured Happy Member, Lisa Kern with Panama City Toyota, has to say:
“We are so thankful for the relationship Panama City Toyota has with the Panama City Beach Chamber. Having a membership there is like having a world of possibilities right at your fingertips. Shannon Richmond goes above and beyond to help in any way she can with anything we need for marketing offering endless possibilities for us. Recently through the Chamber relationships, we were able to bring a beautiful Harley Davidson to our showroom and in return put an Orange Tundra out at Harley. Within one day we sold a car simply by them seeing it out there! Thinking outside the box… Thank you Marta at Harley and Shannon at the Chamber!”