Here are the five things you need to know in and around Osceola County for June 4, 2020!

1. Nearly all of Florida will move to Phase II of the plan to re-open Florida on Friday, including bars and movie theaters.

Expect Friday to be one heck of a T.G.I.F. day.
Citing low percentages of positive coronavirus tests and other encouraging data in the fight against COVID-19, Gov. Ron DeSantis said a majority of the state of Florida can step up to Phase II of the plan to re-open the Florida economy. Just like Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties were brought into Phase I in May slower, they are excluded on Friday, but DeSantis said they’d be able to petition for inclusion later on.
Friday will be the day that bars, bowling alleys, movie theaters and entertainment complexes like playhouses — closed since around St. Patrick’s Day — can reopen at 50 percent capacity while adhering to strict CDC social distancing and sanitizing protocols. Bars can offer outdoor service with tables six feet apart. Personal services like tattoo parlors may operate under Department of Health guidelines.

Restaurants, retail locations and gyms, which were allowed to operate at 25 percent of indoor seating capacity on May 4 and 50 percent on May 18 can now operate at full capacity, with social distancing still in effect.

This is still not a full re-opening of Florida. Those over 65 years old or with underlying medical conditions are still “strongly urged” to avoid crowds and take measures to limit the risk of exposure. All long-term care facility employees should still be tested for COVID-19 regularly. And DeSantis asked all Floridians to avoid congregating in groups larger than 50 — that number was 10 under Phase I.

2. Universal Studios Orlando re-opened to invited pass holders ahead of Friday’s public opening.

Invited pass holders — were about to preview Universal Studios Orlando’s theme park openings Wednesday, and will get the chance again today before opening to the general public on Friday.

Passholders — like our own Keith from Positively Osceola — had to accept invitations. The new normal started right in the parking garage, where every other spot was used, and guests temperatures were taken. Once in the park, social distancing markers and hand sanitizer were “nearly everywhere”. Face coverings were required everywhere except while eating. At eateries, orders were taken at spaced-0ut tables, and food is brought on a tray.

At rides, every row was not loaded, and while characters did appear in the park, they did so on stages to keep their social distance.  Friday should be an interesting day, with the full opening of Universal Studios, Volcano Bay and Islands of Adventure.

3. The Wheel at ICON Park has reopened, too!

On the day that Universal Studios Orlando opens to select annual pass holders, another ICON-ic attraction in the tourist corridor also opened Wednesday.

The Wheel at ICON Park is now open daily from 1 to 9 p.m.,  and is again lit up in signature colors in the evening. The wheel, which features some of the area’s best views from the top,  is park of ICON Park, which also includes Madame Tussauds Museum and the SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium.

Each group will get its own capsule, and they will be thoroughly cleaned after each use by workers.

Bring your ID — residents of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama can enjoy access to ICON Park’s all-inclusive pass a special rate. Check those out online at Icon Park Orlando dot com.

 

4. Osceola County’s SNiP-It Clinic reaching a milestone.

SNiP-It of Central Florida, Osceola County’s non-profit, low-cost, high-quality spay/neuter animal clinic, has re-opened from its own coronavirus-related closure, and will be soon performing it’s 20,000 surgical procedure.
The lucky patient for the milestone procedure is a 10-week-old kitten found abandoned in a neighborhood.  He is being adopted a few days following his surgery to a great home, providing another positive aspect of the “Don’t Shop, Adopt” mantra of animal rescue for getting pets.
The clinic closed in late March and re-opened May 8, securing a PPP loan through great banking relationships. It was able to avoid laying off employees. SNiP-It reopened to a list of patient clients and busy days — and in the midst of it all realized that it would be hitting the major milestone — all with the support of clients, donors and the community. The clinic always welcomes donations. Go to LetsSNiPit.org or call 407-476-4748 for information.

5.  SpaceX launched again Wednesday, sending 60 Starlink satellites into space.

Four days after its successful launch of American NASA astronauts from American soil to the International Space Station, SpaceX had another successful Falcon 9 launch Wednesday, sending about 60 Starlink network satellites into space at 9:25 p.m. Those satellites will enhance internet connectivity in underserved areas across the globe.

On its fifth launch, this particular Falcon 9 rocket booster returned to Earth aboard the drone ship “Just Read the Instructions”.  That fifth launch sets a SpaceX record.