Commissioners Want To Open Gyms To Full Capacity, Theaters, Despite Rising Infections, Deaths
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — Palm Beach County Commissioners Friday announced that they will ask Gov. Ron DeSantis for permission to move PBC to a Phase 2 reopening — complete with movie theater use and gyms to full capacity.
The request comes as Palm Beach County’s infection and death rates continue to rise, and the “percent positive” rate hit significant highs over the past several days.
The following is the official synopsis of the request provided by Palm Beach County. We will publish the official letter asking Gov. DeSantis for permission once it is received.
OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS FROM PALM BECH COUNTY:
During an afternoon news conference June 5 at the Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center, County Mayor Dave Kerner discussed plans to reopen more businesses in Palm Beach County.
“Palm Beach County is ready to go into Phase Two, but we want to do it with some particular carve outs that are necessary for the unique nature of Palm Beach County,” he said.
While most of the state has already entered Phase Two reopenings, Palm Beach County was excluded, along with Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Earlier Friday, Mayor Kerner and County Administrator Verdenia Baker sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking for Palm Beach County to be allowed to enter “Phase Two” with restrictions.
Among the restrictions: stand-alone bars that only serve alcohol and not food. “We’re not prepared to have stand-alone bars open just yet,” said Mayor Kerner. Bars that are located inside restaurants will be allowed to operate at no more than 50 percent capacity.
Other businesses that would be allowed to reopen at 50 percent capacity include entertainment and amusement centers such as water parks, movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, zoos, bowling alleys, and arcades. Retail stores and gyms and fitness centers can operate at full capacity. Personal service businesses such as tattoo studios, acupuncture clinics, tanning salons and massage establishments may also operate, but they must follow guidelines issued by the Florida Department of Health.
