Collier County moves into phase ii of reopening

Effective Friday, June 5, Collier County has entered into Phase II of reopening, per an order from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Phase II includes the reopening of bars, movie theaters and entertainment complexes at 50 percent capacity. It also allows for higher capacity limits in businesses that had already reopened.

“This is the furthest step forward yet for re-opening our local economy,” said Jack Wert, Executive Director at the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau. “With our beaches now open and many of the touristic businesses reopening, we’re excited to bring back visitors particularly from our drive markets to enjoy the summer season. Our hotels, restaurants and tour operators eagerly await the arrival of vacationers.”

During Phase II, the CVB will be focusing marketing efforts on reaching consumers within the state, as well as key out-of-state markets such as Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC.  “We strongly believe it will be the summer of the road trip and want to especially encourage Floridians to come visit us in Southwest Florida,” added Wert.

As visitors begin to consider traveling to Florida’s Paradise Coast – Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades – they are encouraged to visit www.paradisecoast.com to learn more about current openings, monitor the latest beach conditions and more.

Please see below for a list of updates:

Beaches and Parks:

• Collier County beach parks and parking facilities are now open seven days a week. Those without City or County beach parking stickers may purchase a daily parking pass for $8 to enter the parking areas.
• Naples beaches will resume normal operating hours and permitted activities seven days a week. Beach parking continues to be restricted to vehicles with City of Naples and Collier County beach parking stickers. The Naples Pier and Lowdermilk Park will re-open for pedestrian traffic, concessions, and volleyball courts on Thursday, June 11, 2020. Fishing on the pier remains prohibited. The City Dock will also re-open on Thursday for pedestrian traffic only.
• Beaches in Marco Island are open; however, County parking lots are limited to vehicles that have a Collier County beach parking pass.

Bars and Restaurants:

• Restaurants may increase indoor capacity to 50 percent with proper social distancing.
• Outdoor seating remains encouraged – there is no occupancy rate limit.
• Bars and other vendors permitted to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises can open with an indoor capacity of 50 percent, excluding employees.
• For restaurants, bar areas may now be open with seated service.

Retail, Entertainment and Personal Services:

• Retail may open at full capacity.
• Entertainment businesses like movie theaters, bowling alleys, concert houses and arcades may reopen at 50 percent capacity with appropriate social distancing between groups.
• Barber shops, hair and nail salons can reopen at full capacity but must follow safety protocols.
• Gyms and fitness centers may operate at full capacity with self-sanitation of equipment after use.
• Personal service businesses like tattoo parlors, tanning salons and massage therapists can operate if they follow guidelines from the Florida Department of Health.