BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL BAY TO BEACH CITY OF CLEARWATER PHASED RE-OPEN OF CLEARWATER BEACH April 21, 2020 CLEARWATER BEACH PHASED RE-OPEN PLAN In response to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, Clearwater and other government officials took bold action to implement many mitigations strategies to slow the spread of the virus. The bold lifesaving action by our local leaders included the closure of all public beaches in Pinellas County. The purpose of this document is to provide a basic framework to guide the phased re-opening of Clearwater’s Public Bathing Beach when it can be done safely and with low risk to the public. The Clearwater public bathing beach stretches approximately 1.2 miles from the area of the Opal Sands Resort at 430 S. Gulf view Blvd to the crossroad of Somerset St. Clearwater’s public bathing beach is without dispute the most popular beach in the tri-county area (Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco). The Clearwater workgroup included representation from the Clearwater City Manager’s Office, Emergency Management, Fire Department, Police Department, Parks & Recreation Department, and Public Communications. Vendors that provide services on the public bathing beach were also consulted. The workgroup provides the following road map recognizing each phase of implementation will be coupled with intense monitoring of data associated with the pandemic to make sure any relaxation of strategies to slow the spread of the virus do not create a resurgence of positive cases. To this point, the phased approach recognizes encouraging travel from outside counties to come to any Pinellas County beach early in the process could un-necessarily add additional risks of additional spread of the virus. The proposed phase approach allows for limited use for specific functions early on, for the purpose of needed recreation venues for Clearwater citizens. The rules established do not restrict tri-county use by citizens of Hillsborough or Pasco but establishes limitations that do not promote tri-county use. Additionally, the plan provides for a level of social distancing and protective measures that local leaders can wean the community off the measures while monitoring data to mitigate the risk of a resurgence of the virus. CLEARWATER BEACH PHASED RE-OPEN PLAN PHASE ONE LIMITED BEACH RE-OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS WHEN TO OCCUR: • • • • • • When all government entities in the tri-county area open public parks (not playgrounds) When local health officials indicate activating PHASE ONE is a low risk to the public. When all Pinellas government officials agree to the conditions associated with PHASE ONE. Number of new cases are decreasing or flat, OR A downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period (flat or increasing volume of tests). Patients can be treated without crisis care unit consistent with the Presidents Opening Up America Again guidelines. Robust testing program is in place or being put in place for at-risk healthcare workers/first responders, including emerging antibody testing. WHAT OCCURS: All Pinellas Beaches are open as follows for specific recreational activity only during restricted hours: • Access permitted from 0600-1000 hours and from 1700-2100 hours. • Access for designated recreational activities: ✓ Permitted: walking, jogging, swimming, and other exercise. ✓ Non-permitted: Sitting, lying down, lounging, standing, dog walking (on public beach) ✓ Prohibited items: Chairs, blankets, beach towels, beach umbrellas, or coolers. ✓ No vendors providing beach chair or umbrellas. ✓ Persons should wear face coverings in accordance with CDC guidelines and maximize social distancing and groups should remain as small as practical and not exceed 10 but recommended to be five or less. ✓ All other ordinances governing activity on the beach still apply. HOW IT OCCURS: The following operations will be put in place to support PHASE ONE: Communications Strategy: ✓ Develop a public – private coalition of partners to communicate through all communications platforms: ✓ Current state of the infection in the community ✓ Reasons to allow for beach access ✓ Hours of permitted access ✓ Use restrictions ✓ Methods to update community when beach has reached capacity ✓ Strategies in place to manage beach ✓ Sanitation/Disinfectant protocols being used to manage beach ✓ Communicate the requirement to wear face coverings and maintain maximum social distancing. ✓ Sign Signage at beach entry points communications, parking garaged, and Trolley stations that describe restricted use of beach and permitted uses. CLEARWATER BEACH PHASED RE-OPEN PLAN Operational Strategy: POLICE – One sergeant and five officers: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ During closed hours, patrol beach on mules/SUVs During open hours, patrol beach on mules Closing times – Police to beach clear using vehicle in line to sweep from Opal Sands to Somerset. Officer to patrol north beach areas. Deploy surveillance trailer for real-time monitoring from Pier 60. Engagement with persons not abiding by restrictions Manage PD VMBs PARKS & RECS – ✓ Lifeguards to assist in monitoring beach area. ✓ Civilian staff or volunteers to assist with entry/exit points to make sure prohibited items are not brought on the beach. ✓ Maintenance of sand, garbage cans, etc. ✓ Evaluate past disinfection protocols and consider additional methods of disinfection. ✓ Bathrooms reopened with high frequency cleaning protocols. ✓ Beach volleyball courts remain without nets. PARKING – Lots 31, 32, 36, & 37 ✓ Engineering Department will need to evaluate the need for parking enforcement. TRAFFIC ENFGINEERING – ✓ ✓ Assist with state EMB (FDOT) Provide supplemental VMB as needed CLEARWATER BEACH PHASED RE-OPEN PLAN PHASE TWO BEACH RE-OPEN WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING RESTRICTIONS WHEN TO OCCUR: • • • • • • When local health officials indicate activating PHASE TWO is a low risk to the public. When all Pinellas government officials agree to the conditions associated with PHASE TWO. Community control measures return to the previous Pinellas “Safer-At-Home” model or less restrictive directives that allow for the responsible operation of non-essential businesses. Data continues to reflect the number of new cases is decreasing or flat, OR a continuing downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period (flat or increasing volume of tests). Patients continue to be treated without crisis care unit Presidents Opening Up America Again. Robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including emerging antibody testing remains in place as directed by the local Department of Health. WHAT OCCURS: All Pinellas Beaches will be open: • • • • Without time restrictions as was in place prior to the pandemic. For normal use with strict social distancing requirements that include: ✓ Persons to remain six feet apart ✓ Groups no larger than ten but recommended to be five or less. ✓ Facemasks are encouraged. Permitted activity would include sunbathing, sitting, lounging, walking, jogging, swimming, and other forms of recreation or exercise permitted under city ordinance. Vendors could provide beach chair and umbrellas for rental at 50% of their authorized capacity, separated by six feet or more, and provided they demonstrate additional disinfection measures of rental equipment. HOW IT OCCURS: The following operations will be put in place to support PHASE TWO: Communications Strategy: ✓ Develop a public – private coalition of partners to communicate through all communications platforms: ✓ Current state of the infection in the community ✓ Reasons to allow for beach access and permitted uses ✓ Methods to update community when beach has reached capacity ✓ Communicate strategies in place to manage beach ✓ Sanitation/Disinfectant protocols being used to manage beach ✓ Communicate the social distancing requirements. ✓ Signage at beach entry points communications, parking garaged, and Trolley stations that describe social distancing restrictions and permitted uses. CLEARWATER BEACH PHASED RE-OPEN PLAN Operational Strategy: POLICE – One sergeant and five officers: ✓ Patrol beach on ATV/mules from sunrise to sunset educating patrons on social distancing requirements. ✓ Officer to patrol north beach areas. ✓ Manage PD VMBs. PARKS & RECS – ✓ Lifeguards working regular duty hours. ✓ Civilian staff and volunteers to assist with management on the sand, serving as concierge, directing people on proper spacing and social distancing. ✓ Maintenance of sand, garbage cans, etc. ✓ Evaluate past disinfection protocols and consider additional methods of disinfection. ✓ Bathrooms reopened with high frequency cleaning protocols. ✓ Beach volleyball courts remain without nets. PARKING – Lots 31, 32, 36, & 37 ✓ Parking operated under rules in place prior to the pandemic. TRAFFIC ENFGINEERING – ✓ ✓ Assist with state EMB (FDOT) promoting social distancing requirements. Provide supplemental VMB as needed CLEARWATER BEACH PHASED RE-OPEN PLAN PHASE THREE BEACH RE-OPEN ENCOURAGING SOCIAL DISTANCING WHEN TO OCCUR: • • • • When local health officials indicate activating PHASE THREE is a low risk to the public. When all Pinellas government officials agree to the conditions associated with PHASE THREE. Clearwater and Pinellas County lift local state of emergency. Governments have resumed all non-essential operations. WHAT OCCURS: • • • • All Pinellas Beaches will be open with time restrictions in place prior to the pandemic. Use of Pinellas Beaches are open for activities that were allowable prior to the pandemic. Social distancing requirements are encouraged, requiring groups of 10 or less to remain six feet apart. Vendors could provide beach chair and umbrellas for rental at 100% of their authorized capacity, separated by six feet or more, provided they continue with additional disinfection measures of rental equipment. HOW IT OCCURS: The following operations will be put in place to support PHASE THREE: Communications Strategy: ✓ Develop a public – private coalition of partners to communicate through all communications platforms: ✓ Current state of the infection in the community ✓ Reasons to allow for beach access and permitted uses ✓ Methods to update community when beach has reached capacity ✓ Communicate strategies in place to manage beach ✓ Sanitation/Disinfectant protocols being used to manage beach ✓ Communicate the social distancing requirements. ✓ Signage at beach entry points communications, parking garaged, and Trolley stations that describe social distancing restrictions and permitted uses. Operational Strategy: POLICE – ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Patrol beach on ATV/mules during peak periods Patrol beach by 4x4 intermittently during non-peak periods. Officer to conducted directed patrols in north beach areas during peak periods. Manage PD VMBs CLEARWATER BEACH PHASED RE-OPEN PLAN PARKS & RECS – ✓ Lifeguards working regular duty hours. ✓ Civilian staff to assist with management on the sand, serving as concierges, directing people on proper spacing and social distancing during peak periods. ✓ Maintenance of sand, garbage cans, etc. ✓ Expand sanitation/disinfectant protocols being used to manage beach. ✓ Bathrooms remain open with high frequency cleaning protocols. ✓ Beach volleyball nets are replaced for patron use. PARKING – Lots 31, 32, 36, & 37 ✓ Parking operations return to rules in place prior to the pandemic. TRAFFIC ENFGINEERING – ✓ ✓ Assist with state EMB (FDOT) promoting social distancing requirements. Provide supplemental VMB as needed