COVID-19 Update

WELCOME BACK! WE ARE OPEN! 

STATE APPROVES LEE COUNTY’S PLAN TO RESUME VACATION RENTALS

Effective immediately Royal Shell is accepting reservations and guests for any length of stay.
Welcome back! We can’t wait to see you!

As of May 21, the following measures are required as minimum standards for vacation rentals throughout Lee County. Sanibel City Council has also adopted these standards. We will keep you updated if there are further changes.

Lee County and Sanibel’s plan includes:

• Vacation rentals reservations and stays are allowed from all U.S. states with COVID-19 case rates less than 700 cases per 100,000 residents. COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population by state can be found at CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker. Hover your cursor over the vacationer’s state of residence. A box will open with information including cases per 100,000 population.
• Prohibit rentals to persons traveling internationally. 
• Allow adequate time between the conclusion of a guest stay and the check-in of the next guest stay for appropriate cleaning and sanitation.
• Clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces in the property between each guest stay.
• Wash all linens, dishware and other service items available for use by guests between each guest rental.
• Provide sufficient soap and surface sanitation supplies for guests to use in the vacation rental property during the guest’s rental period.
• Ensure adequate safety protocols are in place and publicly displayed in line with CDC guidance regarding shared or multi-residence amenities such as pools, gyms and other communal spaces.
• Follow CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting the facility: CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting.

Enforcement and regulation falls under the Department of Business & Professional Regulation, which has an Emergency Information Page at Florida DBPR emergency info.

See the City of Sanibel’s Proclamation 20-030 for details. 
For more information, go to Sanibel’s current status.

The Royal Shell team always works diligently to accommodate you and make your vacation as memorable and safe as possible.

CHECK-INS FOR THIS WEEKEND

• Royal Shell offices are open for contact-free in-office or drive-through check-in and check-out. We continue to practice safe distancing and are fully operational. 
• All Sanibel and Captiva check-ins for this weekend will be at the Sanibel office, 1547 Periwinkle Way.

Please note: Email is best. Due to the number of calls and emails we are receiving, please do not call and email. For the fastest response, please email us at info@royalshell.com. For guests whose arrivals are not impacted, there is no need to call or email.
We’ll see you when you get here!

COLLIER COUNTY’S PLAN TO RESUME VACATION RENTALS APPROVED

The state has approved Collier County’s plan to reopen its short-term vacation rentals. The county must follow the safety plan they submitted to the state. For more information, read about Collier County’s vacation rentals.

LEE COUNTY REOPENS ADDITIONAL PARK AMENITIES

As of May 22, the following will be open in Lee County: Pools, playgrounds, pavilions, courts, multi-purpose fields, such as soccer/lacrosse/football, fishing piers and splash pads. Staff will be onsite to help encourage following the CDC guidelines, including social distancing. For more information and restrictions, go to Lee County Parks and Recreation update.

SANIBEL REOPENS TWO NON-BEACH PARKING LOTS, MODIFIES SOME RESTRICTIONS

On May 19, City of Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane issued Proclamation 20-029, which includes the following:

• Extends the declared State of Emergency due to COVID-19 to May 26, 2020, unless further extended
• Re-opens two non-beach parking lots: Roadside City Park, and Pond Apple Park Trailhead/Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center parking lots
• Modifies certain temporary beach and pool furniture restrictions to allow the same percentage of furniture as the current occupancy restriction

GOVERNOR DeSANTIS UPDATES PHASE ONE REOPENING, EASES SOME RESTRICTIONS

On May 18, the following changes are in effect:

• Restaurants, retail, museums and libraries may increase indoor capacity from 25% to 50%.
• Gyms and fitness centers may open on May 18, as long as people adhere to social distancing guidelines and machines are sanitized after each individual use.
• Bars that derive over 50% of their revenue from alcohol remain closed.

These changes modify Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-112 of April 30, which outlined his plan for Phase One reopening. That state order extended the period of Executive Order 20-87. 

SANIBEL RAISES PARKING FINES, KEEPS CITY BEACH PARKING LOTS CLOSED

As of May 16, Sanibel City Council updated restrictions as follows:

• City-owned paid beach parking lots remain closed but are set to open on June 1, 2020.
• Raise parking fines to $200.
• Permit new rentals at hotels, motels and timeshares, limited to 50% occupancy
• Strongly encourage wearing face masks by all employees of public accommodations and members of the public who cannot properly socially distance.

For details, click to read Sanibel’s Emergency Proclamation 20-028.

LEE COUNTY BEACHES ARE OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS

On April 29, Lee County commissioners reopen county beaches and parking. Commissioners offered guidelines and stressed it is imperative that residents remain vigilant to continue social distancing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The county beach parks and accesses that are open include:

For more information about beaches, visit our page, Which Southwest Florida Beaches Are Open.

CITY OF SANIBEL’S COVID-19 OPERATIONAL ORDERS FOR ALL SANIBEL ACCOMMODATIONS

To stop the spread of COVID-19, the City of Sanibel orders all Sanibel accommodations to take these steps:  

• Strictly adhere to ALL CDC and Florida Department of Health guidance to stop the spread of COVID-19 including but not limited to social distancing.
• Strictly adhere to the components of Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-112 including reopening with restrictions some beaches, restaurants, retail establishments, libraries, museums.
• ALL NON-RESIDENT CITY-OWNED BEACH PARKING on Sanibel is closed.

CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Community Park, 2221 Periwinkle Way
Recreation Center, 3880 Sanibel Captiva Road
Community Park Playground, 2231 Periwinkle Way

City of Sanibel Proclamation 20-016 temporarily closes public parking lots, the Community Park and the playground.

FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA:

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission FWC Executive Order No. 20-09 takes the following actions:
  • Recreational vehicle occupancy is limited to no more than 10 persons per vessel
  • Minimum distance of 50 feet must be maintained between recreational vessels and any other vessel

REVISED HOURS for Island Grocery Stores and Pharmacies:

• Bailey’s, daily, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Jerry’s, daily, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Island Pharmacy, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• CVS General, daily, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• CVS Pharmacy, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Tolls/Transportation: In-person cash toll collections are suspended. Toll collections are via transponder or are billed by mail via license plate scan. The LeeWay Service Center remains closed to the public. Customer service is offered through a 24-hour drop box at the LeeWay Service Center, and by mail and fax.
Sanibel boat ramp and fishing pier: Closed as of March 21.
Wedding Ceremonies: Wedding ceremonies have been suspended until further notice.
Lee County School District: Distance learning is in effect through the end of the school year.
Public Utilities: Lee County Utilities lobby, 7391 College Parkway, Fort Myers, is closed. Drive-by, drop-off, online, and phone services are available.  
Parks and Recreation: Lee and Collier County beaches and parks have reopened with some restrictions. Sanibel City-owned beaches remain closed. 
LeeTran: Transit service on Fort Myers Beach has resumed.
Lee County Public Libraries: Some regional libraries have reopened. Restrictions vary by branch. 
Sanibel Public Library: Curbside pickup available, Monday through Friday, 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Sanibel Island Farmers Market: Open Sundays, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Masks are encouraged; attendees are requested to maintain social distancing and follow CDC’s guidelines.

For other resources, visit:

• The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel
• City of Sanibel
• Lee County Health Department
• Florida Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention