Trying to decipher exactly what travel restrictions apply to guests renting your short-term vacation rental on the Emerald Coast can be a daunting task these days. Executive Orders (20-82, 20-86) require visitors traveling to Florida from Connecticut, New Jersey, New York or Louisiana to self-quarantine for 14 days (or duration of visit if less than 14 days) and report to authorities everyone they come into contact with while here. Some counties have raised the quarantine criteria to states with more than 500 or 700 cases per 100,000 people. Currently, those states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey and New York. Many counties encourage not accepting bookings from “communities with substantial community spread of COVID-19” for the next “30-45 days”.
Confused yet?
We have compiled information we believe to be accurate for each Florida panhandle county concerning traveler restrictions. Things change daily so please directly research the rules for where your rental is located before making any plans. Good luck!
Baldwin County, AL:
(Gulf Shores, Orange Beach)
There are no travel restrictions or limits on vacation rentals in place.
State of Florida:
All persons traveling to Florida from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or Louisiana are required upon entry to Florida to self-isolate or self-quarantine for 14 days, or for the duration of their presence in the state, whichever is shorter. Roadside checkpoints are set up on interstates to check for potential COVID-19 cases coming into Florida from areas with substantial community spread of the virus. Executive Order does not apply to individuals employed by airlines or those performing military, emergency, or health responses.
Florida Department of Health website has complete details: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/travelers/
Escambia County, FL:
(Perdido Key, Pensacola Beach)
Reservations and stays will be allowed from U.S. states with a COVID-19 Case Rate less than 700
cases/100K residents as of May 15. Reservations from COVID-19 hot spots identified by the Governor are to be avoided for the next 30-45 days. Reservations from international travelers will not be accepted.
Santa Rosa County, FL:
(Gulf Breeze, Navarre Beach)
Vacation rentals reservations and stays will be allowed from all U.S. states with a
COVID-19 Case Rate less than 500 cases/100K residents as of May 14th. Reservations from other identified
COVID-19 hot spots in the country will be avoided for the next 30-45 days. Property owners and managers shall provide a report weekly to the Santa Rosa County Tourism Development Office (first report due 5/22/2020) which includes all reservations (Arrival/Departure dates) and home zip codes of renters.
Okaloosa County, FL:
(Santa Rosa Island, Ft. Walton Beach, Destin)
Vacation rental reservations, from areas identified by Governor DeSantis as high risk, through
Executive Orders (EO 20-82 New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and EO 20-86 Louisiana) must be for periods longer than the quarantine period established in that Order. Guests occupying those vacation rentals must adhere to the quarantine restrictions or be subject to established criminal and civil penalties. For the safety of all residents and visitors, we will encourage our tourism partners not to rent to guests from high-risk areas.
Walton County, FL:
(Miramar Beach, Sandestin, 30A Area)
All visitors are expected to follow Florida Executive orders 20-86 and 20-82, and
individuals and rental agencies will refrain from accepting reservations from COVID 19
hot spots in the country for the next 45 days`
Bay County, FL:
(Laguna Beach, Panama City Beach, Mexico Beach)
Vacation rentals reservations and stays will be allowed from all U.S. states with a COVID-19 Case Rate less than 500 cases/100K residents as of May 14, 2020. Vacation rental reservations, from areas identified by Governor DeSantis as high risk, through Executive Orders, must be for periods longer than the quarantine period established in that Order. Guests occupying those vacation rentals must adhere to the quarantine restrictions or be subject to established criminal and civil penalties.
Gulf County, FL:
(Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas)
In addition to the cleaning guidelines, we would require that during the initial phase, properties not allow rentals to visitors from communities with substantial community spread of COVID-19 or international travelers.
Franklin County, FL:
(St. Vincent Island, Apalachicola, St. George Island)
In addition to the cleaning guidelines, we would require that during the initial phase, properties not allow rentals to visitors from communities with substantial community spread of COVID-19 or international travelers.
It is always best to liberally use surface disinfectants while traveling at any time. You can find a list of COVID-19 approved products here: www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf
Federal Coronavirus safety guidelines can be found here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/workplace-school-and-home-guidance.pdf
We try to be accurate and informative, but the situation is fluid. Please research via the links above and other resources to determine the best personal plan of action. We wish you safe and happy travels.