COVID-19

LAKELAND, FL (June 2, 2020) | Peter Lugo, Co-Founder and President of Lugo’s Craft Spirits, LLC will be donating 400 personal bottles of hand sanitizer to the City of Lakeland On Wednesday, June 3^rd at 10 a.m. Mayor Bill Mutz and other City officials will accept the donation that will be used as facilities start to re-open to the public. Lugo's Craft Spirits is a family-owned and operated distillery in the heart of Lakeland that specializes in developing craft rum spirits. During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, the company started producing hand sanitizer as a way to assist in meeting the high demand for the product. 

LAKELAND, FL (May 22, 2020) | A number of City of Lakeland Park facilities will start opening to the public on June 1, 2020 with safety protocols in place.  Park users are strongly encouraged to practice social distancing, good hygiene, and personal protection when using City of Lakeland facilities.

LAKELAND, FL (May 15, 2020) | As the federal, state, and local governments are starting to unveil their return-to-work plans, employers are anxious to resume operations and get employees back to the workplace. 

LAKELAND, FL (May 14, 2020) | Starting Monday, May 18^th City of Lakeland solid waste services including yard waste pick-up will go back to normal operations.  City of Lakeland solid waste customers will have same day service for solid waste, recycling, and yard waste. The City of Lakeland Solid Waste Division made changes to yard waste operations in early April as an effort to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

LAKELAND, FL (May 12, 2020) | Lakeland Electric is offering a special payment plan for all customers following the lifting of Governor Ron DeSantis’ Safer at Home order. Customers who call to set up the payment plan will have up to six months to pay their outstanding utility bills.

LAKELAND, FL (April 30, 2020) | Lakeland Commissioner Scott Franklin was recently contacted by a client who wanted to donate personal protective equipment to assisted living facilities. Working with the Florida Assisted Living Association, the donation of 6,000 pieces of PPE gear will go directly to Lakeland area assisted living facilities. These items are in high demand by those working in direct environments impacted by the coronavirus.  Franklin said, “We really want to help some of our most vulnerable citizens who are being severely impacted by the coronavirus.  Hopefully, this donation will mitigate the spread of the coronavirus inside our assisted living facilities and ultimately save lives.”

LAKELAND, FL (April 27, 2020) | The Lakeland City Commission voted 7-0 in a specially called City Commission meeting to open passive recreation facilities including parks, trails, and boat ramps starting May 1^st. Tennis courts and Cleveland Heights Golf Course will also open following safety protocols.  Bob Donahay, Director of Parks & Recreation said, “Both the PGA and USTA have published a set of safety protocols for social distancing and we will make sure we follow their guidelines as we get facilities ready for operation and a May 1^st opening.”

LAKELAND, FL (April 22, 2020) | The Lakeland City Commission will hear from business representatives during the Specially Called City Commission Meeting on April 27^th at 3 p.m.  The specially called meetings were initiated to provide the Lakeland City Commission updates and allow open discussion on coronavirus related issues.

LAKELAND, FL (April 17, 2020) | As Lakeland Regional Health (LRH) continues to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the not-for-profit health system is pleased to collaborate with the City of Lakeland to open the City’s first COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Center at the RP Funding Center, beginning Monday, April 20, 2020. 

LAKELAND, FL (April 9, 2020) | Commissioner Scott Franklin was recently contacted by one of his insurance clients who wanted to donate personal protective equipment to first responders and public health agencies. Franklin, acting as a conduit, contacted organizations within the Lakeland community to secure the PPE. Tampa Bay Fisheries, Inc.​, a local food manufacturing company with locations in Dover and Plant City was able to secure 40,000 surgical masks and 75,000 nitrile gloves that they have donated to local city and county front-line employees.