Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a stay-at-home order for Floridians that goes into effect this Thursday at midnight.
Confused about what the ordinance means? We’re here to break it down for you.
WHO: The executive order applies to everyone in Florida. Individuals should stay inside their homes at all times, with a few exceptions (we’ll get to that in a second).
WHAT: Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a stay-at-home ordinance during an afternoon briefing on Wednesday afternoon around 1 p.m. to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, saying “I’m gonna be doing an executive order today directing all Floridians to limit movements and personal interactions outside the home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or to conduct essential activities.”
WHEN: This will take effect Thursday (April 3) at midnight + will last for 30 days.
WHERE: The ordinance applies to the entire state of Florida.
WHY: Gov. DeSantis says he altered his stance after President Trump ordered a 30-day extension of the White House’s social distancing guidelines. Florida has joined 30 other states that have given this order.
Here’s what the executive order impacts: Non-essential businesses – including entertainment venues, tourist attractions, recreational areas + salons – will now be forced to close.
Here’s what you still can do: “Essential activities” include going to grocery stores, gas stations, health care facilities, pharmacies, child care centers, attending religious services, recreational activities (in alignment with social distancing guidelines), taking care of pets, and caring for loved ones.
Gov. DeSantis said that FL would be following the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines. Here’s what the U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines as an essential business:
- Healthcare + public health
- Law enforcement, public safety + first responders
- Food + agriculture
- Energy, waste + water
- Transportation + logistics
- Public works +infrastructure support services
- Communication + information technology
- Other community or government-based operations
- Hazardous materials
- Financial services
- Chemical, defense industrial base + commercial facilities
- Residential/shelter facilities and services,
- Hygiene products + services, and more.
Non-essential businesses
Entertainment venues and facilities, including:
○ Night clubs
○ Bowling alleys
○ Arcades
○ Concert venues
○ Theaters, auditoriums, and performing arts centers
○ Tourist attractions (including museums, aquariums, and planetariums)
○ Racetracks
○ Indoor children’s play areas (excluding daycare facilities)
○ Adult entertainment venues
○ Bingo halls
○ Venues operated by social clubs
Recreational and athletic facilities and activities, including:
○ Fitness and exercise centers and commercial gyms
○ Spas and public or commercial swimming pools
○ Group exercise facilities, to include yoga, barre, and spin studios or facilities
○ Spectator sports
○ Sports that involve interaction with another person in close proximity and within less than six (6) feet of another person
○ Activities that require the use of shared sporting apparatus and equipment
○ Activities on commercial or public playground equipment
Close-contact service providers, including:
○ Barbershops
○ Hair salons
○ Waxing salons
○ Threading salons
○ Nail salons and spas
○ Body-art facilities and tattoo services
○ Tanning salons
○ Massage-therapy establishments and massage services
Businesses who are not explicitly included on the list – including gas stations, grocery stores, banks, and pharmacies – will be permitted to stay open.
