Emergency Management Current Events COVID 19 Updates Hurricane Planning Emergency Shelter Information Emergency Contacts Activation Levels
All questions Other retail businesses Homeless and vulnerable populations Community Q & A Small businesses Food based businesses General coronavirus questions What are you doing about the impact on small/local businesses? Can we continue to serve food through our drive through windows? I am concerned about feeding my family, what should I do? I am worried that I won’t be able to pay my utility bills. What should I do? What assistance is available for small business owners? When is the law enforcement going to enforce a quarantine? How is the curfew going to affect people who work after 9 p.m.? What is the city doing to take care of its homeless population during this crisis? Are we still allowed to go to the beaches? Are they planning a full or partial shut down? When would this happen? How can I help? I am concerned with my children’s educational development while out of school. What resources are available? What is the number of cases in our county? How are we containing the spread of the virus throughout the homeless population in the city? Do you expect crime to rise because people are stir crazy? Is there going to be a curfew for everyone or is it just retail and businesses? Will trash and recycling pickup continue? Are residential pools safe to use? How long will schools be closed? Are they thinking of closing recreational places? Are there any closures for travelers in and out of Gainesville? When will testing be available for anyone who would like it? What about businesses that are not complying with emergency orders? Is it safe to travel? Will the police force or National Guard enforce stopping large gatherings? Can you get coronavirus if you got a flu shot? Can pets have the virus? Are there any precautions for pets? Do you have a policy around high contamination environments, such as dentists, doctors’ offices, etc? What authority does the city have with private businesses and the process they must follow to protect the community? Specifically grocery stores. What are possible cures as of now? Will the county courthouse in downtown Gainesville remain closed? How will social distancing be enforced on public transportation? I’m a rideshare driver. What precautions can I take? Do local retailers have special hours for seniors who are at a greater risk, but still need food and supplies? Has anyone been tested who does not fall into the travel category? When will classes at private schools start back up? The Humane Society has said it needs volunteers and help. Does Animal Services also need help? In Gainesville we have a bat house where the bats come out at sunset and people come to watch. If the bat was the initial host, isn't that dangerous? Do we need to have precaution of purchasing food from grocery stores? Can the virus be on any packaging? Why is the downtown at such a risk that it needs to be closed down, but not the depot park? What about the homeless population? With the teachers not working will they have a suspension in pay? If this goes on a long period of time would a renter be forced out of their home for not paying rent? Will school be closed past April 16? What is being done to protect riders and drivers on the RTS buses? For GRU, are they going to be sending someone around to read meters, or will be bills average of last year? Are our hospitals prepared with enough masks, respirators, staff and hospital beds? How do I know if my business can stay open? Will community gardens remain open? How are we ensuring that individuals who have tested positive for COVID19 are quarantined? Is there any testing being done for patients who have already had COVID19 to determine how long they remain contagious? What is being done to determine how much of the virus is spread by community? How accurate is the current test for individuals who are not showing symptoms? Will testing be limited to those with medical insurance? What about school and final grades? How many tests are available and how is the Alachua County Public Health Department prioritizing who receives tests? Will there be at-home testing available for vulnerable individuals? Is anyone working on antibodies for this virus? What are the city’s contingency plans for GRU workers, when huge percent of workforce can’t report for duty? The city has portable office trailers for projects. Could we use those for portable testing? Is virtual schooling an option while out of school? What is in the works to offer businesses and people on fixed income relief?
