Florida Restaurants Begin to Open up for Business

Florida Restaurants Begin to Open up for Business

Governor Ron DeSantis announced phase 1, the first steps to open Florida.

The Governor held his press conference this afternoon and announced phase 1 of reopening on May 4th.  He is allowing specific industries to open with restrictions.  “We need to focus on facts and not fear,” DeSantis said in a news conference today.  He also stated that this will be a gradual reopening with all but Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties in Phase 1

Here is a quick snapshot:

  • Essential businesses will operate as usual
  • Elective Surgeries can resume
  • Outdoor Seating for Restaurants is permitted with the 6-foot social distance requirement
  • Indoor Seating is permitted at 25% capacity
  • Retail Businesses may open with 25% capacity
  • Bars, Gym & Salons are still prohibited from opening

This is excellent news for the Sunshine State. However, we all need to be aware and take precautions. Our restaurants and retailers offering curbside pick-up have been extremely cautious.  The Blue Coyote Supper Club protected its diners with sanitizer, gloves, and instructions outside so that customers could protect their staff and patrons when picking up orders. Their Clover Station faced customers with NFC enabled to create a touchless environment.  They also offered one-time use disinfected pens to protect all—another excellent example of the new normal we will all face in the coming years.

 

Merchant Holiday Safety Tips

Merchant Holiday Safety Tips

Merchant Holiday Safety Tips

These tips are good for the Holidays but I utilize them all year long.

When you’re Out Shopping: Don’t carry a lot of cash, use a credit card for purchases. Place all your purchases in the trunk of your vehicle. Place anything of value inside your vehicle out of site or in the trunk. Don’t park your car in an unlit area, and make sure you’re not fumbling for keys and with packages to get in your car, especially at night.

Utilizing an ATM: Don’t go when it’s dark. Don’t get out of your car if you don’t have to, use the drive-thru if possible. If you see someone suspicious hanging around that ATM, find another one.

While at Home: Keep your doors and windows locked, whether you’re home or away. Limit visibility inside your home so people can’t see all your valuables especially wrapped gifts that may be under a Christmas tree. If a stranger comes to your door and you don’t recognize them, don’t answer. Don’t leave expensive gift boxes out for the trash, break them down and put them in a recycling container. Leave a light, television or radio on to indicate someone is home when you’re away.

While Traveling: Stop your newspaper and mail or have someone pick it up daily. Periodically have someone stop in if you’re going to be away for a long time, to pick up flyers or anything that might be left in the doorway or on the driveway. Let a neighbor know you’ll be traveling so that if anything out of the ordinary occurs they can contact you directly.

Card Systems wishes you and your family a very Happy Holiday Season!