DeLand, FL - Volusia County launches a new public awareness campaign tomorrow, 'Step Up Volusia.' The message of the campaign is to protect the community, themselves and loved ones. Local, civic, business and healthcare leaders are doing it. Educators are doing it. Athletes are doing it. Celebrities are doing it. Your mayor is doing it – practicing CDC guidelines to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
And you should do it too!
With more than 300 cases of COVID-19 reported since Friday, this campaign, which was already scheduled to happen, couldn't be more timely. It will include social media platforms, digital advertising and billboards urging people to follow the public health guidance.
Celebrities, recognizable figures, local dignitaries and community influencers will be featured to help bolster the message that now isn’t the time for the community to let its guard down. Local residents also will be encouraged to participate in the campaign to help share the message.
“In this age of COVID-19, virtually everyone knows the significance of following the health guidance to help slow down and contain the virus,” said Volusia County Manager George Recktenwald. “But now, more than three months into the emergency declaration, we want to ensure that complacency doesn’t set in. When it comes to personal responsibility, this isn’t the time to let up. That’s our message, and that’s the reason for this awareness initiative.”
A website, www.stepupvolusia.org, is being launched for the campaign to host health and safety information along with video messages from prominent figures about the importance of hand washing, social distancing and wearing masks. Participants include NBA star Vince Carter, songwriter, producer and *NSYNC member JC Chasez and former Orlando Magic power forward Bo Outlaw. Residents also will be encouraged to send in their own videos and post and share them on social media, using the hashtag #StepUpVolusia.
The campaign includes messaging on six billboards around the county as well as multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Money for 'Step Up Volusia: Wash Up. Back Up. Mask Up.' is coming from the coronavirus relief funds that the county has received through the federal government as part of the CARES Act.
This is a collaborative effort between the County of Volusia and Volusia County cities and is being coordinated by the Volusia-Flagler Public Information Network (PIN). Established in 2005, the PIN is an organization of public information officers and communications professionals representing local governments, public safety and first responders, hospitals, the School district, the Health Department and local universities, Daytona International Speedway, chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus as well as the Red Cross and other non-profits in the two-county area.
More COVID-19 information and resources can be found at the PIN website www.volusia.org/services/public-protection/emergency-management/pin/.
A mask mandate went into effect for Daytona Beach this morning (June 28) at 12:01 a.m.
