As a further measure to curb the spread of coronavirus, the Pinellas County Commission on Wednesday unanimously directed the county’s nearly 1 million residents to stay at home except for essential activity like trips for groceries, medical needs and jobs deemed essential.

The “safer at home” directive, which takes effect at 11:27 a.m. on Thursday and will last at least seven days, also permits residents to exercise outside as long as they keep six feet from others and avoid groups larger than 10 people.

The step was needed, county administrator Barry Burton said, because even after officials closed public access to the county’s 35 miles of beaches Friday night, people still crowded bookstores and held social gatherings, ignoring warnings that social distancing could stop the spread of the virus.

“Our health professionals are pleading with us that if we don’t act now, it will be too late,” Burton said. “The residents of Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area need to take this seriously."

The directive specifies three dozen categories of businesses that are considered essential and can remain open, including groceries; infrastructure like utilities, distributors and construction; government services; healthcare providers; gas stations; restaurants serving only to-go food; news media; laundromats, banks and hotels. It keeps open parks and boat ramps.

The directive allows non-essential businesses to remain open as long as they follow Centers for Disease Control social distancing guidance. Commissioner Ken Welch initially worried the exception was an “Achilles heel." But by the end of the two-hour discussion, he said it could help curb infections while not killing “more jobs than we absolutely have to.”

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Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said he supported the order. He said county officials have been flooded with pleas from business owners already reeling from the effects of the pandemic and trying to continue operating with reduced income.

He said county officials will enforce through education. Deputies will deliver notices to every business in the county that details the directive and the CDC recommendations about proper social distancing, he said.

“The message we want to send is ‘help us help you,’” Gualtieri said. “This isn’t locking down Pinellas County ... But you all need to do more.”

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Wife is making a list of things to get from grocery store just to top us off, I expect a YUGE rush to the store tonight.  yes, I know grocery stores will still be open and going there will still be allowed, but the Sheep are gonna Sheep...

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did you see WAC shut down for at least 2 weeks starting today?

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They said any non essential business can stay open as long as they stick to the CDC guidelines with the 6 foot rule. A commissioner specifically asked the question during the meeting today about a book store. The county administrator said they can stay open as long as they abide by the social distancing rules.

I drive by Shoots Straight yesterday around 1 and there was a line of people of about 25 people outside waiting to get in and they were all spaced apart. Not sure if the workers were spacing them out or if everyone did it themselves. They had more distancing them you see at Publix.

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They said any non essential business can stay open as long as they stick to the CDC guidelines with the 6 foot rule. A commissioner specifically asked the question during the meeting today about a book store. The county administrator said they can stay open as long as they abide by the social distancing rules.

I drive by Shoots Straight yesterday around 1 and there was a line of people of about 25 people outside waiting to get in and they were all spaced apart. Not sure if the workers were spacing them out or if everyone did it themselves. They had more distancing them you see at Publix.

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Does anyone know if gun shops are buying ammo/guns at good prices?

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I don't know about that but on my way home last night I drove by Shoot Straight again and they had a long line waiting to get in again.