Coronavirus: Second JTA bus driver tests positive for COVID-19

NORTHEAST FLORIDA, SOUTHEAST GEORGIA — More than 26,600 people in Florida and 18,900 people in Georgia have been infected with the new coronavirus, and the number of deaths from the outbreak continues to rise. Officials are attempting to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia as schools, businesses and public events are closed or canceled.

Action News Jax has the very latest information on Florida and Georgia cases of the coronavirus LIVE on FOX30 and CBS47. Click here to watch.

Putnam County schools to hold graduations in August

April 20, 11 p.m.: Putnam County Schools announced it will be holding graduation for the class of 2020 in August.

Second JTA bus driver tests positive for COVID-19

April 20, 5:15 p.m.: A second Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) bus operator has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a JTA spokesperson.

This employee was last at work on Friday, April 17. Due to a mild cough, the bus operator sought testing at the Lot J COVID-19 testing site on Saturday and was placed on mandatory sick leave. The employee notified JTA leadership of their results today.

Georgia governor to let shelter-in-place order expire April 30

April 20, 4:30 p.m.: Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said Monday that he will allow the state’s shelter-in-place order to expire on April 30.

In addition, “Due to favorable data and more testing, gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, nail care artists, estheticians, their respective schools and massage therapists can reopen Friday, April 24 with minimum basic operations,” the governor said.

According to Kemp, minimum basic operations includes, but is not limited to, screening workers for fever and respiratory illness, enhancing workplace sanitation, wearing masks and gloves if appropriate, separating workspaces by six feet, teleworking if possible and implementing staggered shifts.

Kemp added that, subject to specific social distancing and sanitation mandates, theaters, private social clubs and restaurant dine-in services will be allowed to reopen on Monday, April 27.

Jacksonville to open another walk-up COVID-19 testing site

April 20, 12:13 p.m.: During a video conference call Monday, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced that the city will be opening another COVID-19 walk-up testing site at Kooker Park. Once opened, this site will be able to test up to 200 people per day, Curry says.

Lot J COVID-19 testing site closed for day

April 20, 11:15 a.m.: Due to weather (high wind speeds), the Lot J COVID-19 testing site is closed for the remainder of the day, according to the Florida Association of Public Information Officers.

New task force to gather for first time today in Florida

April 20, 6:30 a.m.: Updates on a new task force, a team created by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, is expected at 2 p.m. today. DeSantis said Florida may be using President Donald Trump’s three-phase reopening plan as a start.

Friday, DeSantis emphasized the importance of getting some of the businesses in Florida reopened so people can get back to work.

Nassau County officials to discuss possibly reopening beaches

April 20, 5 a.m.: Today, Nassau County commissioners are expected to discuss the possibility of reopening their beaches. Leaders said last week they wanted to monitor what happened over the weekend, as beaches in Duval and St. Johns counties reopened with restrictions, before making a decision.

Commissioners plan to discuss public safety, such as adding lifeguards and law enforcement.

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