The City of Sarasota has extended its declaration of a local citywide public health emergency through June 12 following a weekly review, as required by the City Charter, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City’s Parks and Recreation District also announced several reopenings: Doubles tennis play will be allowed at Payne Park Tennis Center and other outdoor tennis courts in the City starting Monday, June 8. All playgrounds and basketball courts at City parks will reopen Tuesday, June 9. Indoor pickleball courts at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex will reopen June 19 and will be available to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Robert L. Taylor Community Complex fitness center will reopen beginning July 6. Fitness hours will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The athletic field at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex will remain closed while the state continues to operate a walk-up COVID-19 testing site in the parking lot.

The emergency order issued Friday by City Manager Tom Barwin, in consultation with Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch and City Attorney Robert Fournier, also allows several City advisory boards to resume meetings beginning on the following dates: Historic Preservation Board – July 14, Newtown Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Board - June 25, Planning Board – Aug. 12, Public Art Committee – July 8.

The Development Review Committee will meet July 1. Subsequent DRC meetings will be as provided in subsequent emergency orders.

Certain development approval applications may now be filed under Friday’s emergency order. The order also strongly urges the public to wear protective masks when leaving home, including in common areas of condominium and apartment buildings, and to acquire protective masks if they have not already.

Partial street closures to help local restaurants and retail establishments impacted by COVID-19 will be in effect from 3 p.m. to midnight this Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6, on the following downtown streets: Main Street, from Palm Avenue to Mira Mar Court, State Street, from the State Street Garage to Lemon Avenue, Lemon Avenue, from Main Street to State Street.

Although City buildings remain closed to the public, most City operations and services are still available. The public can conduct City business either online via www.SarasotaFL.gov or by phone at 941-263-6000.