COVID-19 Tourism and Small Business Resources

Below are links to information and resources about COVID-19, a link to our local survey for Charlotte County businesses in the hospitality sector, and information about Florida's--and Charlotte County's--Recovery process.

Click Here for Vacation Rentals Re-Opening Info

Quick Links: Charlotte County Recovery Process ~ Assistance and Resources ~ Assessment ~ Information ~ Archive of Previous Updates

State of Florida Recovery Process

Phase 2: Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Plan for Florida's Recovery Goes into Effect Friday, June 5, 2020

On June 3, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-139 announcing Phase 2 of Florida’s reopening plan following COVID-19.

The plan allows for further reopening of the state beginning Friday, June 5. All counties, with the exception of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, may move into Phase 2 (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties may participate on a petition basis).

Of interest in Phase 2:

Bars and other vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages may operate at 50% of indoor capacity and maximum outdoor capacity as long as social distancing guidelines are followed. Nightclubs are still restricted from reopening.
Restaurants can serve at their bars with social distancing.
Retail shops may operate at maximum capacity.
Gyms may operate at maximum capacity.
Entertainment venues—including movie theaters, playhouses and auditoriums—may operate at 50% indoor capacity.
Pari-mutuel facilities, housing legal gambling machines, may reopen as permitted by local and county officials.
Other services deemed “personal,” including tattoo parlors, massage and tanning salons, may resume operations.

The State of Florida's Official Business Information Portal: Official State of Florida COVID-19 Information, includes:

Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Plan for Florida's Recovery (PDF)
Links to all Executive Orders
Links to Financial Relief and Assistance Resources
Additional State Resources and Information

The Re-Open Florida Task Force Comment Submission Portal: All interested Floridians are encouraged to submit their ideas and feedback on any topic related to the re-opening of Florida's economy. Task Force to Re-Open Florida Public Comment Submission Form

Find previous Task Force meeting agendas and presentations online: flgov.com/COVID-19.

Audio recordings for all previous Task Force meetings: thefloridachannel.org.

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Charlotte County Recovery Process

Vacation Rentals

Beginning Monday, May 18, under Executive Order 20-123, Section 4: Vacation Rentals, Florida counties were allowed to seek approval to operate vacation rentals with a written request from the County Administrator and the county’s safety plan for vacation rental operations submitted to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation Secretary.

Charlotte County and the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau understood the urgency in reopening our vacation rentals especially with the Memorial Day weekend approaching. Our Tourism Director worked with County Administration all weekend on a plan that was submitted to the FDBPR the morning of May 18. That plan was discussed and supported by the Commissioners.

At approximately 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, we were notified by FDBPR that the plan had been approved.

Expanding Outdoor Dining

Indoor dining is allowed, at 50% capacity, and on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, the Board of County Commissioners of Charlotte County, Florida passed Resolution CM EO 2020-11 City Fee Waiver and Deferral - Outdoor Seating, to provide for temporary outdoor dining in parking lots and adjacent or communal property in response to COVID-19. The order takes effect immediately and expires June 4, 2020, unless extended.

Information from the City of Punta Gorda regarding Outdoor Dining and Doggie Dining permits for Punta Gorda restaurant Partners:

Click here to find the Punta Gorda outdoor dining permit application. The City is asking you please complete and submit with a dimensioned site plan showing the location of the tables and clear 42” pedestrian path. If Doggie Dining is proposed, a separate application is required: Application here.
In addition, if alcohol is sold/served outside the original permit, an extension of the premise license will be required to be submitted for zoning signature and forwarded to ABT for issuance.
If the outdoor dining is temporary, the application fee is being waved. If the outdoor dining is to remain permanent, the application fee will be due by July 1, 2020.

Restaurants must comply with all social distancing, party size, and occupancy requirements under Gov. Ron DeSantis' Executive Order 20-123. Restaurants must comply with relevant Department of Health and county fire regulations and the Florida Building Code. Outdoor dining areas in parking lots must be separated by physical barriers and kept clear of litter. Restaurants must register with the Charlotte County Community Development Department before beginning operations permitted under the ordinance by emailing the restaurant name, location, contact information and a description of the outdoor seating arrangements to zoning@charlottecountyfl.gov.

For information, call 941-743-1964. For media inquiries, call 941-743-1462.

Additional Resources for Restaurants:

Travel in the New Normal, the Health and Safety Guidelines (PDF) from the U.S. Travel Association®
Restaurant and Bar Pandemic Relaunch Kit (PDF) from Streetsense
Critical COVID-19 Guidance Standards for Hospitality Reopening (PDF), developed by the FRLA.

Please follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines for social distancing and practice proper hygiene.

Visit CharlotteCountyFL.gov frequently for updates regarding the ongoing recovery of Charlotte County.

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Assistance and Resources

Community Organizations Active in a Disaster (COAD Florida)
- Financial Assistance for Charlotte County Residents
American Hotel & Lodging Association Stay Safe Initiative: Industry-wide Hotel Cleaning Standards
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
- (CARES) Act Fact Sheet (information for small businesses, workers, tourism businesses, community from Southeast Tourism Society (STS))
- (CARES) Act Questions and Answers
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), May 2020
Department of Homeland Security: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS-C)
Enterprise Florida Microfinance Guarantee Program
Florida Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Resource Center
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity:
- Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
- Short-Term Compensation Program
- Reemployment Assistance Service Center (DEO)
  - Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- Temporary Layoff Program
- Assistance filing a claim:1-800-204-2418 or visit FloridaJobs.org
- Emergency Support Function 18–Business, Industry and Economic Stabilization: ESF18@em.myflorida.com
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
- Critical COVID-19 Guidance Standards for Hospitality Reopening
- COVID-19/Coronavirus Updates
The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network:
- Information on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) & Emergency Advance program, and more
Guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Opening Up America Again: White House and CDC Guidelines
Restaurant, bar, and service workers:
Restaurant and Bar Pandemic Relaunch Kit (PDF)
Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Updates

Small Business Administration (Federal)

VISIT FLORIDA
- COVID-19 Resources and Information
- Small Business Toolkit
We Travel Forward: directory of hotel gift cards and special offers, click for more information and to submit your hotel to the directory

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