Ward Law LLC is dedicated to keeping our clients informed about all things COVID-19 related. Our business is to ensure that you have all the information you need to keep your business going. In that regard, please read below for an update on plans to reopen the State of Florida.
Florida Update
Of the states in which Ward Law practices, Florida has been the most aggressive in its reopening plan, even after being one of the last to issue a statewide stay at home order. The state, as many others have done, has outlined a staged or phased reopening plan. The initial Phase 1 was implemented statewide, with the exception of the hardest hit counties of Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade. This phase allowed restaurants to reopen to provide services on premises, provided outdoor seating had tables at least six feet apart and inside seating was limited to 25 percent of their occupancy capacity. Retail stores were also allowed to open so long as they operate at no more than 25 percent of building occupancy and abide by safety guidelines issued by the CDC and OSHA. Museums and libraries were allowed to reopen with the same occupancy restrictions, while elective medical procedures were allowed to resume.
It was known from the time restrictions began to ease that the counties left out of the initial reopening Phase 1 could catch up with the rest of the state at some point. Although it was unclear exactly what was needed for this to happen. This has come to fruition in the case of Palm Beach County. They have been able to enter Phase 1 and join other counties. As of now, Broward and Miami-Dade counties remain the only two that are being left out of the phased reopening. Presumably, however, the restrictions still applicable to those two counties will be lifted very soon, given the urgency placed on reopening by Governor DeSantis.
For any questions about FL’s reopening plans, please email the Ward Law helpline any time at covid19helpline@thewardlaw.com.