St. Johns County mandates use of face coverings in all county facilities
In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19, a face covering mandate for all St. Johns County-owned facilities went into effect on Monday, July 27. All employees and any person working, doing business or visiting a county facility are required to wear a face covering when social distancing of six feet or more cannot be maintained. For a full list of exemptions and enforcement policies, go to www.sjcfl.us. This emergency order will remain in effect through the duration of the St. Johns County Emergency Proclamation 2020-1, unless otherwise rescinded by the county administrator or his designee. For more information, call (904) 824-5550.
SJC CARES Act funding program for residents, businesses and nonprofits
The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners approved Phase I of a $46 million CARES Act funding program in response to COVID-19. The program focuses on assistance for small businesses, residents, nonprofit organization, and other COVID-19 response-related projects. Grant criteria for each category are currently under development and will be posted on www.sjcfl.us with applications in the coming weeks. For more information related to the CARES Act and funding programs, call (904) 209-6050 or email sjccares@sjcfl.us.
JTA provides St. Johns Express Select route from St. Augustine to Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Transit Authority has established the St. Johns Express Select bus route to provide a convenient connection between St. Johns County and downtown Jacksonville. The route begins at the St. Johns County Government Center, 4010 Lewis Speedway, and makes a stop at the Pavilion at Durbin Park before arriving in downtown Jacksonville. Service is offered from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and is not available on weekends or holidays. One-way passes are available for $3, one-day passes for $5 and 31-day passes for $90. For more information, including bus stop addresses and pass fees, go to www.jtafla.com/schedules/regional-services/st-johns-express-select.
St. Johns County garbage, recycling, and yard debris collection delays
Due to an increased demand for solid waste collection services, St. Johns County’s garbage, recycling and yard debris collection schedules may be delayed in some neighborhoods. Residents are asked to continue following regular schedules on standard collection days. The Tillman Ridge and Stratton Road solid waste scale houses are open during standard business hours. Call (904) 827-6980 or email solidwaste@sjcfl.us for more information.
Encompass Health expanding to St. Johns County with new rehabilitation hospital
St. Johns County Administration and the St. Johns County Economic Development Office have worked with Encompass Health to expand its network of state-of-the-art rehabilitation hospitals and bring high-quality, inpatient services to St. Johns County. Encompass Health recently announced the purchase of land at the northwest corner of Silver Lane and State Road 207 for the future development of a 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital. “We are proud to be working with Encompass Health to bring this critical service to an area of the county where there is a need,” said Joy Andrews, St. Johns County deputy county administrator. “This project also benefits our residents by bringing many new impactful jobs in the healthcare industry to the area.” Once construction is complete, the 47,000-square-foot rehabilitation hospital will provide up to 119 full-time jobs. The Encompass Health rehabilitation hospital will work closely with acute care hospitals in the area to assist patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries. The opening date of the rehabilitation hospital is to be determined.
