FLORIDA'S STAGE 1 REOPENING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the first stage of Florida’s reopening would begin on Monday, May 4 at 12:01 a.m.  With the exceptions of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, the State will ease restrictions to allow the following:

• Restaurants can open outdoor seating with parties seated a minimum of six feet apart.  
• Restaurants can allow up to 25% capacity of indoor seating that is properly socially-distanced.
• Non-essential retail stores can allow shopping inside the store with 25% capacity and social distancing.
• Businesses can be fined up to $500 for exceeding the 25% capacity requirement.  Additional enforcement action may apply to certain businesses from their regulatory agency.
  
• Employees that come into close contact with customers are advised to wear face masks.
• All medical services, including elective procedures, surgical centers, family doctors, chiropractors, dentists, orthodontists, and other health care practitioners can reopen.
  

What hasn’t changed:

• Bars and nightclubs must remain closed.
• Personal service businesses like salons and gyms must remain closed.
  
• Large venues like movie theaters and sporting event venues will remain closed.
• Local and state law enforcement are in charge of enforcing the Governor's Executive Orders, in addition to the State's regulatory agencies that oversee businesses.
  
• Long term care facilities still cannot allow visitors.  
• Groups can gather with ten people or less with the individuals being a minimum of six feet apart. 
• The most at-risk individuals (65 years and older with underlying health conditions) should remain home.  

The Governor stated that data would continue to be reviewed to determine the appropriate time to ease the remaining restrictions.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​

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