Flagler Beach, FL – Visit Florida numbers showed tourism was down nearly 34 percent in 2020, but judging by the license plates on the interstate and parked at area beaches throughout the region, visitors are flocking to the Sunshine State.
Bike Week 2021 and spring break have both been a boon for businesses, even with bouts rainy weather, and in some Florida cities like Miami Beach, curfews and road closures have been implemented to stave off the heavy influx of visitors.
As a result, a slight jump in COVID positive cases have made headlines over the past few days.
While Flagler County is still among those in the state with the fewest reported cases, officials responsible for the area’s biggest draw – the beaches, are taking a cautiously optimistic approach to issuing permits for events ahead of the busy summer season.
Dovetailing with the governor’s orders to expand vaccination eligibility to Floridians 18 years of age and older starting April 5th, the Flagler Beach City Commission took the opportunity to press pause on approving the issuance of event permits for 30 days on Thursday night, in an effort to allow more individuals to receive the vaccine before approving events and gatherings.
Differentiating between smaller gatherings – those of 100 people or less, and the larger gatherings – which would include the Fourth of July parade and fireworks drawing upwards of 40,000 people into close quarters, commission members heard recommendations from the city’s safety team leads, Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney and Fire Chief Bobby Pace.
“Events will probably be the last things to open, and to that end the Fourth of July, we know regardless of any scheduled events we’re going to have a lot of folks,” said Chief Doughney.
“I applaud the city commission for deciding not to have any vendors, parade or fireworks this year for the Fourth of July. It’s just because of the logistics of our city – putting 40,000 people to watch the fireworks or a parade, we didn’t want to be a super-spreader event in our community,” he said.
Advising the commission during the pandemic, Bob Snyder, administrator of the Flagler County Health Department, in conjunction with Dr. Steve Bickel, said the city has been responsible in their management plan throughout the past year, and the steps taken during the meeting continue to put public safety first.
“It’s a very good decision,” said Snyder. “We’re just getting to second base as far as getting people vaccinated so we still have to be very careful. The commissioners are really, really smart to take up this subject again in 30 days because things could change, but they are making great decisions to protect our community.”
The commission’s consensus based on the recommendations was unanimous.
“I’m confident in following the recommendation of the Flagler County Health Department administrator Bob Snyder to wait on large scale events until at least the fall and review smaller scale events, less than 100 people, in 30 days,” said Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnston.
“Given the new vaccine eligibility, we should start to reopen and feel safe, many of us are ready. I’m already excited about the opening of the library on Tuesday and the review to reopen city all at the next meeting.”
“Bob (Snyder) is one of those people who understands that sometimes the tough decisions are not the popular decisions,” said Chief Doughney.
“Again, I applaud the commission for following the advice of medical professionals. When you raise your hand, you say you will serve and protect. That’s an honor and a privilege when you take that oath. It’s not taken lightly, so we put the safety of others ahead of ourselves and I think it shows in the decision.”
