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St. Pete mayor preps stay-at-home order, but says governor should provide 'statewide uniformity'

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Updated  March 24, 2020 10:18pm EDT
Coronavirus in Florida
FOX 13 News

Castor, Kriseman call pledge stay-at-home orders

Catherine Hawley reports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The mayor of St. Petersburg says he is ready to move forward with a stay-at-home order to help slow the spread of COVID-19 if the governor won’t act first.

In a Facebook message from the city’s emergency operations center, Mayor Rick Kriseman announced Tuesday that St. Pete residents should “expect to see something happening in the very near future” and suggested that he might act in concert with other local leaders.

“I believe Gov. DeSantis should implement a statewide stay-at-home-order, limiting movement that is not essential. If he doesn’t act quickly, cities and counties will,” Kriseman stated.

Kriseman said he had spoken with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, who failed Monday to convince Hillsborough County leaders to enact a similar order, as well as other Bay Area community leaders.

“We don’t want to be an island on this,” Kriseman continued. “The best way to approach this is statewide, but if we’re not going to get that, we’ll approach it regionally.”

While he encouraged everyone to use social distancing at the city’s parks and stores, the mayor stressed that any stay-at-home order would allow exceptions for exercise and essential services. Residents would not be arrested for leaving their homes.

RELATED: Stay at home: These states have issued orders for residents not to go out amid COVID-19 pandemic

"This is not a lockdown, not a curfew, not martial law," he added.

Kriseman also said the city is looking at Tropicana Field and other locations for possible large-scale COVID-19 testing sites.

14-day quarantine order for travelers from NY, NJ, CT

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference Monday afternoon, saying he is issuing an executive order that would require mandatory 14-day self-isolation for anyone traveling to the Sunshine State from the New York City area.

If you feel sick:

The Florida Department of Health has opened a COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Agents will answer questions around the clock. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours.

LINK: Florida's COVID-19 website

CORONAVIRUS IN FLORIDA: What you need to know

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