On Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Florida was moving to Phase 3 reopening. That means, restaurants, bars, salons, and other businesses are allowed to operate at full capacity and that local governments may not order restaurants to close unless they can justify a closure for economic or health reasons.
DeSantis also said that the new order will override any other restrictions in place on the local level.
“We’re not closing anything going forward,” DeSantis said during a news conference, and told reporters the state has plans in place if infections increase again.
Here’s what changes under the Phase 3 order:
Restaurants
• Restaurants and food service establishments may operate at full capacity with limited social distancing protocols. Businesses should maintain adequate sanitation practices among employees and patrons during all hours of operation. Menus, if laminated, should continue to be cleaned after each usage. Paper menus shall be designed for single use and then immediately disposed of.
Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs
• Bars, pubs, and nightclubs that derive more than 50 percent of sales from alcohol should operate at full capacity with limited social distancing protocols. Businesses should maintain adequate sanitation practices among employees and patrons during all hours of operation. Menus, if laminated, should be cleaned after each usage. Paper menus should be designed for single use and then be disposed of immediately after each use.
Gym and Fitness Centers
• Gyms and fitness centers should open to full capacity but should maintain adequate sanitation practices among employees and patrons during all hours of operation.
Large Sporting Events and Theme Parks
• Large spectator sporting events should consider reducing capacity with limited social distancing protocols.
• Theme parks may return to normal operations with limited social distancing
protocols.
Recreation
• State parks: State parks should be fully opened, including overnight accommodations.
• Public beaches: Beaches should remain fully opened.
• Large venues: (movie theaters, auditoriums, concert halls, bowling alleys, arcades, playhouses, casinos, etc.). These should reopen fully with limited social distancing protocols.
Employers
• Employees should resume unrestricted staffing of worksites and implement the final phasing in of employees returning to work. For vulnerable populations, teleworking can be considered.
Employee Screening
• Employers should take prudent and practical measures to ensure employees do not enter the premises if they believe they are infected with coronavirus or show symptoms of influenza-like illness.
Travel
• Employees should resume nonessential travel and adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines regarding isolation following travel.
Local Government Meetings
• These meetings should return to in-person quorum and public participation for local government bodies.
Vacation Rentals
• Vacation rentals should resume normal operating procedures but should continue to thoroughly clean and disinfect the property between rentals.
Personal Services Businesses
Cosmetology salons, barber shops and nail salons, other personal services
• Cosmetology salons, barber shops and nail salons, should operate under full capacity but should consider the following mitigation measures:
• Continue to maintain adequate sanitation practices for employees and patrons.
• Regularly clean and disinfect working stations and equipment between interactions
with customers to the greatest frequency feasible.
• Remove all unnecessary, frequent-touch items such as magazines, newspapers,
service menus, any other unnecessary paper products and décor from customer service areas.
Retail Businesses
• Operators of retail businesses should operate at full capacity but should continue to
maintain adequate sanitation practices for employees and patrons.
Businesses can still require customers to wear masks, but DeSantis said “all outstanding fines and penalties that have been applied against individuals are suspended.”
The order still calls for older residents and vulnerable populations with underlying medical conditions to heed caution and avoid large crowds while practicing social distancing.
