Both the City of Key West and Monroe County officials enacted heightened protective measures for open businesses this week in an effort to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

Anyone going out to pick-up essential items must now wear a nose and mouth covering before being allowed to enter any business.

Following confusion over whether or not traffic checkpoints, set up just last Friday, could continue past Sunday, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County, and the municipalities have partnered to continue to keep them in operation 24-hours a day.

The stations began 24-hour operations Friday morning until further notice. The checkpoint is being reevaluated daily. Only residents, property owners, and those actively involved in work in the Florida Keys will be admitted, including fuel tankers, delivery and grocery trucks.

“The order should allow only travel for essential services like grocery stores and health care providers, and to and from the workplace for critical workers.

Mucarsel-Powell: “I Want Everyone To Have This Information At Their Fingertips”

Let’s be honest! Monroe County has a ‘mandatory evacuation’ with ‘voluntary compliance’ and no enforcement. Affluent residents evacuate early and often. It is a vacation for them. Wage earners will not leave at 48 hours.

This page is updated daily. All Florida residents over the age of 18 will be eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine starting April 5th, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday. DeSantis made the announcement in a video released from the Governor’s office, saying the eligibility age would be lowered to 40 and older starting Monday before lowering it to all adults the following week.