Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted all restrictions on restaurants and other businesses in Florida on Friday in a move to reopen the state’s economy despite the spread of the coronavirus.
“We are today moving into what we initially called phase three and what that will mean for the restaurants is that there will not be limitations, from the state of Florida, and in fact, we’re also cognizant about the need for business certainty. There have been some local closures and other types of restrictions and so the order that I’m signing today will guarantee restaurants operate, will not allow closures. They can operate at a minimum of 50% regardless of local rule. And then, if a local restricts between 50 and 100 (percent), they’ve got to provide the justification and they’ve got to identify what the costs involved with doing that are,” DeSantis said.
During that discussion, he said focusing on elderly and at-risk groups was more effective than blanket business closures.
“I think people should still understand that the virus, it doesn’t go away. I mean, even if you have a vaccine it doesn’t go away because the chance of the vaccine being 100% effective is very small,” DeSantis said. “So it’s going to be at a minimum endemic and so that’s why I think it’s so important to focus on the risk to the folks who are especially vulnerable for this.”