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.
