Gov. issues Phase 1 of step-by-step plan to re-open state

Posted on May 1, 2020

Dine-in restaurants and some other local services will be back in business Monday, May 4 as part of “phase one” of Governor Ron DeSantis’ “SAFE. SMART. STEP-BY-STEP” plan to re-open Florida.

However, many other businesses – such as hair and nail salons – remain restricted or closed.

DeSantis announced his multi-phase plan at a 5 p.m. press conference Wednesday, allowing restaurants and retail stores to operate, but mandating they must limit indoor occupancy to 25 percent of the building capacity.

Restaurants and food establishments with outdoor seating must maintain appropriate social distancing measures (six feet of distance between tables) in those areas.

Additionally, museums and libraries may re-open at 25 percent of their indoor capacity, while medical services, including elective surgeries, may resume at surgical centers, dental offices, orthodontic offices and health care are allowed to fully re-open.

However, under the governor’s plan, “phase one” does not permit the re-opening of gyms, fitness clubs, bars and nightclubs, visitation of long-term care facilities or the renting of short-term vacation rentals.

Personal care services such as barbershops and nail salons with close contact are also not permitted to re-open.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has been directed to announce a “phased-in re-opening” of state parks (which would include Econfina State Park and its public boat ramp), which were previously closed by DeSantis.

DeSantis stipulated that a violation of the executive order is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine and will be enforced by “local law enforcement.”

“Today, Florida will take a step — small, deliberate, methodical and based on consultation with some of our greatest physicians towards a more hopeful future,” DeSantis said.

“Fear is our enemy. We are a resourceful people with a can-do spirit. We can do what we need to do to protect our vulnerable from the coronavirus while taking safe, smart steps toward rebuilding Florida’s foundation,” DeSantis said.

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