" We just want to give an update from Amelia Island and from a local residents perspective as we head to opening up.
We have been very fortunate with the Coronavirus pandemic here. So far in our zip code we have seen on average far less than one case per day since the beginning. We have had some hospitalizations and no deaths in our county. Florida is a very long state and the majority of the statewide cases have been in three southeast Florida counties( Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach). A very high percentage of the unfortunate statewide deaths have been in these three counties plus nursing homes throughout the state(source: FloridaPolitics.com). As of May 21: no current hospitalizations, 10 county residents recovering, only 1 total death in Nassau County.
The Amelia Island beaches are the only ones in Northeast Florida that are still closed. Our closed beaches are a hot topic locally based on two articles in today's local paper. Georgia beaches are also open. City and county officials somehow felt that a 13 mile long continuous beach with over 40 public beach entrances was too risky to open. Yet a 6 foot wide south Amelia Island bike/walking trail that has seen thousands of users in close proximity since early March is just fine. Local officials are in back track waffling mode with May 1st May 6 May 1(?) their intended opening date. It is official...County beaches open May 1. City beaches on May 4. Restaurants and retail stores can open May 4th per the governor...UPDATE: Vacation rental ban has been lifted, in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Regarding real estate during the pandemic, people are still listing property, property is selling and closings taking place, which Fran and I can personally attest to." - Gary Farnsworth