Florida Bars to reopen beginning Monday at 50% occupancy

So, if one of the things you’ve found frustrating during the pandemic is that you’re local watering hole has been closed, then a ray of sunshine has presented itself and will become a reality on Monday.

Bars in the Sunshine State will reopen on Monday September 14 at 50% occupancy indoors.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued an order on Thursday at the direction of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that will allow bars to reopen as soon as Sept. 14.

In mid-March when the stay at home order was put in place amid the COVID-19 outbreak, bars were closed as were restaurants and most everything that wasn’t deemed essential. Then, they were allowed to start accepting patrons once again in early June when Florida moved into phase two, only to be “re-closed” weeks later when COVID-19 cases started trending back upward across the state. An executive order was issued to close bars in late June after numerous outbreaks were linked back to more crowded bars.

Here’s more from the actual order:

Under DBPR Emergency Order 2020-10, bars and other alcoholic beverage vendors may resume sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises on Monday, provided that their operations comply with the parameters of Phase 2 of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Plan for Florida’s Recovery as established in Executive Order 20-139.

Beginning Monday, these vendors may operate at 50% of the facility’s indoor capacity, allow bar service to seated patrons, and permit outdoor seating and service with appropriate social distancing.

“In meetings with hundreds of owners of bars and breweries across the state, I’ve heard their stories of struggle, and I’ve observed their serious commitment to making health and safety a continuing priority in their businesses,” said DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears, in a prepared statement. “It’s time that we take this step, and it’s vital that we start moving forward with this sector of our hospitality industry that has endured one of the toughest paths for sustaining a business during this pandemic.”