Gov. Ron DeSantis characterized Florida’s next opening step as a “full phase one” during a Friday press conference in Jacksonville. Effective Monday, May 18, restaurants and retail stores will be able to up their capacity, while gyms, libraries and museums are getting the green light to welcome back the public.
DeSantis’ initial reopening on May 4 was called a “baby step” with restaurants reopening outdoor dining with tables 6 feet apart and dine-in at 25%. Retailers were also able to flip their closed signs, so long as they maintained 25% capacity.
Effective May 18, DeSantis is giving restaurants the ability to move dine-in capacity to 50%.
“I really appreciate all the folks who own restaurants who’ve been thinking deeply about this,” he said. “A lot stayed open to do takeout, but some didn’t as some are more conducive to dining. I think that’s something a lot of people in the restaurant business were hoping for. I think it can be done safely.”
Retail shops are also getting the green light to move to 50% capacity. DeSantis said there’s clear guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure everyone’s staying safe.
“We’ve been doing retail in some form or another for some time,” he said. “Particularly for small mom and pop retailers, it’s very important for them to have safe options.”
Those looking to get back to the weights or the treadmill will get that opportunity as DeSantis gave the go-ahead for gyms and fitness centers to open up at 50% capacity on May 18, so long as they follow CDC and OSHA guidelines and people are social distancing and sanitizing machines.
“The CDC was really close about the gyms. I tried to work instructively, but if you think about it, this is a respiratory virus that tends to attack people with health problems or who are not in good physical condition,” he said. “Don’t we want people to be getting exercise and don’t we want people to stay in shape? It’s going to actually make them more resistant to severe consequences, so I think this is good and important.”
Libraries will be able to go to 50% capacity next Monday, per DeSantis, but that will ultimately be a call for local governments. Museums will also be able to open their doors at 50% capacity.
As for summer camps, DeSantis said “we need to move forward with that.” Depriving kids from summer activities would be a mistake, he said.
“It’s high on my agenda,” DeSantis said.
On vacation rentals, counties may seek approval to operate vacation rentals by submitting a written request and county vacation rental safety plan to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Bars and theaters remain closed under DeSantis’ reopening plan. Barber shops and nail salons were able to open back up on May 11. Visitation in long-term care facilities remains prohibited.
As for Miami-Dade and Broward counties, DeSantis said restaurants and businesses there can reopen at 50% capacity beginning Monday.
