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Updated April 30th, 2020 at 12:41 IST

Florida governor announces phase I of reopening

Florida's restaurants and retail stores will be allowed to reopen Monday at 25% capacity, if the local government allows it, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday, as the state begins the slow climb from the economic abyss caused by the coronavirus.

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Florida's restaurants and retail stores will be allowed to reopen Monday at 25% capacity, if the local government allows it, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday, as the state begins the slow climb from the economic abyss caused by the coronavirus.

The governor specifically excluded hard-hit, heavily populated Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, saying their businesses will begin phase one when it is safer.

"This new phase will start on Monday, May 4th. For the time being, exclude Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. These counties have seen the lion's share of the state's epidemic, but they are trending in a positive direction. I am working with them and will continue to work with them. And I do believe that they will be able to move to phase I very soon. We will get Florida back on its feet by using an approach that is safe, smart and step-by-step," he said.

His order will also allow hospitals and surgical centers statewide to restart nonessential, elective procedures — but only if they have sufficient medical supplies and agree to help nursing homes and assisted living facilities prevent and respond to coronavirus outbreaks.

Parks, golf courses and other outdoor recreation areas already began reopening in some counties Wednesday.

DeSantis, a Republican, is being more cautious than the neighboring state of Georgia, as well as the task force DeSantis formed last week to study how to get people back to work.

The task force suggested restaurants could operate at 50% capacity, but the governor is easing in more slowly — 25% capacity inside, tables 6-feet apart outdoors.

He said earlier this week that Florida will take "baby steps" in trying to resume business and is following through with that approach.

The task force also suggested reopening gyms and barbershops with restrictions, but he's not allowing that in the first phase.

DeSantis is also not setting a date for the second phase.

Instead, he's taking a wait-and-see approach to how the state fares during the first phase.

Bars and nightclubs also won't reopen yet, but DeSantis gave approval to sporting events if they don't include spectators.

The state will continue to restrict visitors to nursing homes and state prisons.

Florida has had more than 33,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, resulting in at least 1,218 deaths, according to the state Department of Health.

But there has been a downward trend in new cases since early April.

 

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Published April 30th, 2020 at 12:41 IST

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