Deaths, Infections Continue. Florida To Pass 14,000 Deaths Within Days.
UPDATE: We now have the official “Phase 3” executive order language from Gov. Ron DeSantis. Read it, below.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — In what will prove to either be an appropriate move due to a decrease in COVID transmission, or the first days of a deadly fall, Palm Beach County is preparing to stop enforcement of almost all COVID-19 regulations. While Palm Beach County Mayor David Kerner played it off as an appropriate order by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the “phase 3” order came weeks ahead of Palm Beach County expecting to move in that direction.
Effective immediately: all businesses that would normally allowed to operate are now allowed to operate. All restaurants, bars and lounges may open with no less than 50 percent occupancy. Any other restrictions, unless specifically carved out in orders that are likely forthcoming, are phasing out. Masks, however, remain a requirement. But in the bizarre world of COVID compliance, any individual not wearing a mask will likely NOT be cited, only the business owner.
The changes come as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Friday — unexpectedly — that Phase 3 starts immediately.
Florida has now logged 695,887 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 13,915 deaths.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
EXECUTIVE ORDER LANGUAGE
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a state of emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on April 29, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-112 initiating Phase 1 of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery; and
WHEREAS, on May 14, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-123 for Full Phase 1; and
WHEREAS, on June 3, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-139 initiating Phase 2 of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery.
WHEREAS, the State of Florida has suffered economic harm as a result of COVID-19-related closures, exacerbating the impacts of the State of Emergency, and Floridians should not be prohibited by local governments from working or operating a business.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section (l)(a) of the Florida Constitution and Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order:
Section 1. Phase 3
This order supersedes and eliminates any and all restrictions of Executive Orders 20-112, 20-123 and 20-139, as well as Executive Orders 20-192, 20-214 and 20-223, except as modified herein.
Section 2. Right to Work and Operate a Business
No COVID-19 emergency ordinance may prevent an individual from working or from operating a business. This preemption is consistent with Executive Order 20-92.
Section 3. Restaurants
Pursuant to Chapter 252, including sections 252.36(5)(b), (g) and (h), Florida Statutes, and in order to safeguard the economic vitality of this state, any restaurant may operate as set forth below.
- Restaurants, including any establishment with a food service license, may not be limited by a COVID-19 emergency order by any local government to less than fifty percent (50%) of their indoor capacity. If a restaurant is limited to less than one hundred percent (100%) of its indoor capacity, such COVID-19 emergency order must on its face satisfy the following:
- quantify the economic impact of each limitation or requirement on those restaurants; and
- explain why each limitation or requirement is necessary for public health.
- Nothing in this order preempts or supersedes a non-COVID-19 municipal or county order.
Section 4. Suspension of COVID-19-related Individual Fines and Penalties
This order, consistent with Executive Order 20-92, suspends the collection of fines and penalties associated with COVID-19 enforced upon individuals.
Section. 5 Effective Date
This order is effective immediately.
