City Of Pensacola Closes Restaurant Dining Rooms, Movie Theaters; Escambia County Could Follow

March 19, 2020

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson has ordered restaurants in the city to close their dining rooms for two weeks starting Monday. The order also closes movie theaters and other entertainment venues.

Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May, speaking at a press conference at Pensacola City Hall, said the Escambia County Commission will consider similar closures during a special meeting Friday morning.

“These were incredibly difficult decisions, and they are not ones that I take lightly,” Robinson said. “I know the impact on our restaurant and local business industry will be felt by many, but the safety and health of our community is my top priority. In this unprecedented situation that we are facing, I would rather take aggressive preventative action to protect the public than to not do enough and risk an even greater negative impact to our community.”

Robinson’s order includes all restaurants in the city limits with seating for eight or more people.  The order does not apply to dining at the airport or hospitals.

Robinson encouraged the restaurants to offer drive-thru, curbside pickup or delivery.

Click to read the city ordinance.

Comments

34 Responses to “City Of Pensacola Closes Restaurant Dining Rooms, Movie Theaters; Escambia County Could Follow”

  1. Celeste A Marshall on March 21st, 2020 4:17 pm

    What about financial assistance for people who are unable to work and have no money to pay rent? Is there any information on this? Or are there any places helping with supplies for single months with young children that can’t work

  2. William Reynolds on March 20th, 2020 8:16 pm

    >>My question is what about church services in our area? Are they a go or not?

    That would up to the individual church. They gov’t has not canceled them.

  3. Concerned Citizen on March 20th, 2020 6:11 pm

    I live in the north end of the county. My question is what about church services in our area? Are they a go or not?

  4. Jenny on March 20th, 2020 3:15 pm

    I’m with Emily on her comment about hair salons!!!! Especially, chain hair salons!!!! We I too am a stylist and we are being made to do lip and eye waxes. Both, coming into contact with SEBACEOUS glands, which would put us at a MUCH HIGHER RISK than others in the service industry who do not have DIRECT contact with people and can use a hand sanitizer and fare a little better. Notice I said a little. I too am appalled that all service industry would be shut down but the service industry on the front line are the stylists and esthetician’s who are coming into direct contact! Absolutely ridiculous that do little ya thought of ya at the end of the day! As long as people get one more haircut in, it’s ok if we get sick, right!?!!!! Figures!!!

  5. Emily on March 20th, 2020 2:36 pm

    I want to bring up the subject about HAIR SALONS!!! I’m a stylist at a chain store. Even with all the warnings… people are still coming in! WHY?! We are at risk, being in such close contact through very personal services like lip wax, beard and mustache trim, we make direct physical contact with strangers on a regular basis. I was told to leave today because I wanted to wear a mask and gloves which I feel should be permissible so I can protect myself. The manager recommended I take a leave of absence, which I agreed to. Hair trims and roots can wait two weeks for sure this is non-essential. PLEASE CLOSE HAIR SALONS!!

  6. Regina on March 20th, 2020 1:50 pm

    If you are quarentined at home, great, your good. Please remember that regardless of your fears, some people have no choice but to leave home and go to work! The base being one of those places. Closing the beach with all the huge crowds is understandable, but getting angry at those who are not out and about for the fun of it is not necessary! We can’t shut down everything!!!!!

  7. Chuck on March 20th, 2020 9:44 am

    People chill the hell out. I get the worry and understand the concerns but life has to continue. I’m pretty sure the world has survived worse and without our social distancing rules. Yes I get it people didn’t travel by planes and cars but people still gathered and yet the world survived. The black plague for example. Lastly cigs and beer kill more people 10 fold but none of you scream to stop selling or close bars to prevent the deaths of millions. Don’t comeback with the self-induced point as second hand smoke is still killing. Again calm down. I virus will die out. It will enable future generations to live as less potent strains continue to float around for thousand of years to come. If I die or if someone I love does I will be sad and troubled but I know it will be for the good of future generations. We should do lots of what they are saying but locking up in a house for no defined time isn’t a solution. Never has been before and likely never will be…. I hope! Saying all that I will avoid going out if I don’t have a need but life must go on as well! Wish everyone the best. Team Darryl, walking dead!;)

  8. April on March 20th, 2020 9:28 am

    Doctors office should be closed. To many well people doing there annual visit and coming in contact with ill patients. Also not enough supplies for offices

  9. Detrich on March 20th, 2020 9:16 am

    Close furniture stores! I work for a furniture store and constantly deliver to homes that aren’t livable, homes theatre trashed, disgusted, animal feces, roaches! I feel like I’m gonna get sick going into someone’s home!

  10. Daisa on March 20th, 2020 9:00 am

    What about the military base, Nas Pensacola ? I work there as an custodian , some of us have kids at home because school is close to keep the kids safe from this virus but they still not safe if their parents still have to go to work with a lot of others coughing ,touching everything,and stilll have to come home to their kids and cook dinner.THATS HOW THIS VIRUS SPREAD.

  11. fisherman on March 20th, 2020 8:40 am

    Mr Mayor why not the airport? OH!!!! I forgot ya’ll make money off that and you don’t want to lose that valuable income. You sir are a joke.

  12. Maggie White on March 20th, 2020 8:26 am

    They need to close there state college and go online. This is serious and it seems and if they don’t get it. Why is every college on online but them? All the students are gone home they want them to come back y? We are not trying to get anyone sick. PSC step up your game your not exempt from this.

  13. MikeH on March 20th, 2020 8:25 am

    Mayor does not have the authority to close the beaches. That has to come from the county. Needs to be done. County Commissioners can do it and Sheriff enforces it.

  14. Leigj on March 20th, 2020 7:55 am

    The CDC has stated that the beach is actually a good idea. I can sit away from others, get my sunshine vitamins, breathe in fresh salty air which helps my asthma immensely, and calm my nerves. I will continue to go to the beach as much as possible.Thank you Pensacola.

  15. tami mceachern on March 20th, 2020 7:40 am

    When others have already closed their beaches, we need to do the same. Close the beach!!!!!

  16. Brandy on March 20th, 2020 6:26 am

    @Kel, we still have people staying with us too. But we have stopped all breakfast and any congregation in the lobby. Also have closed our pool, gym and cancelled any meetings.

  17. Concerned parent on March 20th, 2020 6:22 am

    My family and I live in a hotel, living paycheck to paycheck. What happens to us when they shut everything down? Are we still going to have a place to live? What about paying when we can’t?!? Like who do I talk to about concerns like this??? Can’t have my kid on the streets :(

  18. PETER HUNT on March 20th, 2020 5:29 am

    Kel & @brent.. You folks sound as if you’re experts withcresoect to the flying public. Are both of you Medallion flyers & what his your knowledgeable experience with respect to Pensacola’s Airport? Sounds as if you speak from the stand point of ignorance instead of sound knowledge & facts.

  19. Al Thomason on March 20th, 2020 1:36 am

    Why is the politicians, mayor’s, governor, county officials, waiting for an extended period of time to keep their citizens safe.. Is the almighty tourist dollar more important than safe guarding citizens lifes.. federal guidelines were set days ago.. oh.. we don’t yet have the bases as New York and California.. with the leaders of Florida being ridiculed on national television we finally take action.. my esteem of our leaders were to high..

  20. Eloya on March 19th, 2020 11:47 pm

    Please, please close the airport and beaches!

  21. Tess on March 19th, 2020 10:41 pm

    But I work with 10 or more people and we can’t do the social distancing. Please Escambia County.

  22. Kel on March 19th, 2020 9:35 pm

    I agree @brent. Too many careless people still flying, and a lot of them were visibly ill. Ordinances need to be put in place because people themselves cannot be trusted. At the very least they need to test everyone coming off of flights, but closing the airport would be the most effective course of action. Sadly local government and business owners are more concerned with $$$ than the health of those who bring in the revenue.

  23. aubrey d grove on March 19th, 2020 9:34 pm

    Having traveled as a travel nurse across much of the United States for 20 years, I can tell you, without doubt ,Pensacola has the best healthcare in the Nation! As well as the best Police, Fire/ rescue and Paramedics bar none!! I believe this is in large part due to such a great influence the local colleges have had turning out such a great ,high caliber health care workers. Our Local Government officials have traditionally kicked doors in paving the way to get it done. They have always impressed me how they work so well with the industry leaders and the military ,to look out for us all. Pensacola DMAT number one in the Nation! Show the Nation how it’s done Pensacola!! I’m proud of you all.

  24. Mike on March 19th, 2020 9:25 pm

    “Richard on March 19th, 2020 8:56 pm
    CLOSE THE BEACHES AND AIRPORT!!! For god sake !! What is wrong with people ???”
    The answer is easy and simple, gullibility, inability to analyze what’s going on and extreme susceptibility to be scared by the media. That’s what’s wrong.

  25. Mike on March 19th, 2020 9:09 pm

    @ohn R Ballenger
    I agree 100%, why would Mexico and Bahamas let Spring Breakers from a country with thousands of cases to enter? It’s not that we shouldn’t let the kids go there, it’s them who should protect their little countries from the plague coming to them from the US and European countries.

  26. Richard on March 19th, 2020 8:56 pm

    CLOSE THE BEACHES AND AIRPORT!!! For god sake !! What is wrong with people ???

  27. Mike on March 19th, 2020 8:49 pm

    To Leslie:
    You wouldn’t have to go to work, fine, but don’t expect the others to pay for that, the others, who DO go to work and produce stuff you consume every day. As long as you realize this – no work no pay, you are free to do whatever you chose to.

  28. Cheryl on March 19th, 2020 8:22 pm

    If you have the authority to close the beach then please do so as our Governor isn’t going to do it. Floridians have a right to know that the people in charge will put us before politics.

  29. Leslie on March 19th, 2020 7:31 pm

    We need something stronger than social distancing. If we were ordered to stay home, I wouldn’t have to go to work. It’s scary because my job puts me in contact with people all day and then I risk bringing those germs home to my family.

  30. John R Ballenger on March 19th, 2020 6:53 pm

    We closed our beaches closed are restaurants closed our Club’s close Darbar yet kids we closed our beaches closed are restaurants closed our Club’s closed our bars yet kids are flying to Mexico Jamaica the Bahamas I don’t understand what’s up with this they are going to come back infected and infect us all

  31. Anne on March 19th, 2020 6:06 pm

    WIDE OPEN at Pensacola Beach and now reports of younger persons having the Corona (Chinese) Virus.
    Trying to restrict the Spring Breakers from gathering in groups of more than 10 is kind of dumb. They are going to gather someplace and if not downtown they’ll hit the beach bars and clubs outside city limits.
    What’s really hard to understand is the young ones are at risk also yet feel they have an obligation to get drunk and celebrate.
    Lord please watch over us ALL, especially these young people putting themselves then many others at risk.
    Crazy Times.

  32. Brent Williams on March 19th, 2020 5:57 pm

    Close the airport!

  33. Kel on March 19th, 2020 5:37 pm

    I too wonder that, @jodi. We’ve got countless people still traveling through the airport and staying with us. On top of that we have breakfast and dinner services where far more than ten people are gathering. Hilton nor local owners have said a word to us about it.

  34. Jodi on March 19th, 2020 5:19 pm

    What about hotels. Are we going to close hotels