Governor DeSantis held a press conference Wednesday in Tallahassee to announce Phase I of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan to Re-Open Florida.
At the conference, the Governor also issued two Executive Orders:
- Executive Order 20-111, which extends Executive Orders 20-87 and 20-91 until 12:01 am May 4, 2020; and
- Executive Order 20-112, regarding the Governor’s plan for Phase 1: Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery.
- Answers to frequently asked questions relating to Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-112 are available HERE.
Phase I will begin Monday, May 4, with Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties excluded at this time.
The order will allow hospitals and surgical centers to restart nonessential, elective procedures in the rest of the state — with the provision they have sufficient medical supplies and agree to assist nursing homes and assisted living facilities prevent and respond to coronavirus outbreaks.
At the press conference, Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of focusing on the facts and not fear as the state moves to re-open safely and deliberately with the following steps:
- Protect the vulnerable
- Increase testing
- Promote social distancing
- Support hospitals and protect healthcare workers
- Prevent introduction from outside the state
Phase I includes the following:
- Schools remain distance learning.
- Visits to senior living facilities are prohibited.
- Elective surgeries can resume.
- Restaurants may offer outdoor seating with six feet between tables and indoor seating at 25% capacity.
- Retail can operate at 25% of indoor capacity.
- No change for bars, gyms, and personal services such as hair salons.
- Vulnerable individuals should avoid close contact with people outside the home.
- All individuals, when in public, should maximize physical distance from others.
- Avoid socializing in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for physical distancing.
- Face masks are recommended for all those in face-to-face interactions and where you can’t social distance.
