As COVID-19 cases begin to surge in Okaloosa County, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, Public Safety Department, Emergency Management Division and Emergency Medical Services say they continue to work hand-in-hand with hospitals, cities, state government and the department of health. 

In a press release issued Friday afternoon, Okaloosa county stated that the commission and executive staff are in daily contact with all stakeholders in COVID-19 response and are closely monitoring hospital intakes and stand ready to address public health concerns locally. 

“We will ensure that our citizens are protected and the health care system has adequate capacity to respond to any needs we might have,” Said Chairman of the Commission Trey Goodwin, “we are reassured that, even though cases are going up we are seeing a relatively stable number of hospitalizations. It seems older citizens and residents who are in higher risk categories are staying home and younger citizens with more moderate risk are making sure to keep their distance from the most vulnerable. Nevertheless, we continue to encourage caution as we move through this pandemic together.”

The Board of County Commissioners encourages residents and visitors, particularly those at high risk, to wear masks in public and continue social distancing in accordance with health official guidelines.

Earlier Friday, all bars across the state of Florida can no longer serve alcohol for consumption on premises.

The news comes from a tweet from Halsey Beshears, the secretary of the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation. In his tweet earlier Friday morning he wrote that “the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is suspending on premises consumption of alcohol at bars statewide.”

Additionally, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson issued Declaration of State of Emergency 20-03 effective at 5 p.m. today, Friday, June 26, requiring face coverings to be worn by employees and patrons inside businesses within City of Pensacola limits.