TAMPA, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis announced a new executive order on Wednesday, which allows Florida to begin transitioning from Phase 1 of his "SAFE. SMART. STEP-BY-STEP" plan to Phase 2 on Friday, June 5.
The announcement comes more than two weeks after the Sunshine State transitioned into Full Phase 1, which allowed restaurants, salons and gyms to fill up to 50% of its capacity.
The transition into Phase 2 will allow gyms and retail spaces to operate at full capacity.
Bars and pubs can operate at 50% capacity indoors and full capacity outdoors, with an emphasis on diminished standing room and social distancing guidelines. You must be seated to get served.
Miami, Broward and Palm Beach counties must seek approval to enter into Phase 2, DeSantis said.
Along with Gov. DeSantis' new executive order, Florida childcare facilities, including daycares and voluntary pre-kindergarten programs, can return to normal capacity numbers.
Below is a further breakdown of what initial Phase 2 entails:
Bars and Pubs
- Can operate at 50% of building capacity with an emphasis on diminished standing room capacity and prioritized outdoor service, where full capacity is allowed, with seated services
Restaurants
- May allow bar-top seating with proper social distancing
Retail
- May increase capacity to full capacity permitted by local governments
Gyms and fitness centers
- May increase capacity to full capacity
Amusement parks
- May reopen if submitted reopening plan is approved by local government and state
Entertainment businesses
- Movie theaters, bowling alleys, concert venues can operate at 50% capacity with social distancing and sanitizing protocols
Gov. DeSantis said general guidance under Phase 2 encourages everyone to avoid groups larger than 50, people 65 and older or with underlying conditions are still encourages to avoid crowds and employees at longterm care facilities should be testing for COVID-19 on a regular basis.
Below is the digital copy of the executive order signed by Gov. DeSantis:
Gov. DeSantis also announced that personal services like tanning salons, massage establishments and tattoo shops can reopen as long as they follow guidance from the Florida Department of Health.
Additionally, Gov. DeSantis said Florida universities can create a taste force for reopening and present their plans on June 23.
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