Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry says he’s spoken to Gov. Ron DeSantis and is prepared to gradually move into a Phase 2 Covid-19 response.
The mayor said Phase 2 might involve allowing more capacity in restaurants and stores, adding that physical distancing requirements will continue to be enforced at beaches and parks.
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Curry said the city has given residents more than $14 million in relief money, so far, to help with mortgage, rent and utility bills.
“Why we’re doing this is because of the virus and the shutdowns that came with it that brought unprecedented economic hardship to Jacksonville and families. So many of our citizens saw a reduction in pay in hours or lost employment all together. And so many experienced growing concerns over whether to pay their bills or put food on the table,” Curry said.
The funds for the $1,000 cards come from the federal CARES Act.
The mayor spoke via Zoom from the main library in Downtown Jacksonville and was wearing a mask, which is mandatory at the library.
Michelle Corum can be reached at mcorum@wjct.org, 904-358-6308 or on Twitter at @MCorumonME.
