TALLAHASSEE – Safe. Smart. And Step by Step that’s Gov. Ron DeSantis’s approach when it comes reopening the state. In his coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, DeSantis announced that Monday May 4th Floridians will get back in the swing of things as state prepares to reopen after a month long safer-at-home order.
“Fear is our enemy. Now we’re resourceful people with a can do spirit. We can do what we need to do to protect our vulnerable population from the coronavirus, while taking safe-smart steps towards rebuilding Florida’s foundation,” says DeSantis.
With the exception of Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Broward counties the majority of the state will enter phase one of the governors plans to slowly get things back to normal.
The Florida Department of Health is reporting 347 new coronavirus cases. Bringing the total number of cases in the state to 33,193 and 1,218 deaths. But DeSantis says that statewide positive rate has declined to around 6% in recent days.
“We obviously need an economic recovery,” said DeSantis. “The problems it will resolve if you have protracted massive unemployment are significant in the realm of health, in the realm of social cost, and of course in the realm of economic opportunity.”
Phase 1 involves: Schools continuing distance learning, visits to senior living facilities prohibited, Elective surgeries can resume, restaurants can offer outdoor seating with six feet between tables while indoor seating can be at 25% capacity, and retail can operate at 25% of indoor capacity.
That’s not all.
Phase 1 also includes: No change for bars, gyms and personal services like hair salons, vulnerable individuals should avoid close contact with people outside homes, all individuals should maximize physical distance from others, avoid socializing in groups of more than 10 people, and face masks are recommended for all those in face-to-face interactions.
“These steps will be deliberate, it will not be like turning off a switch,” said DeSantis. “But each step will bring us closer to the light at the end of the tunnel. The only thing we have to fear, is let fear overwhelm a sense of purpose and determination.”
The governor announced several new testing sites across the state. Including one at the Mall At University Town Center that will open next week.
