By Alora Peters, Contributing Writer
The nationwide quarantine response to the virulent coronavirus (COVID-19) is slowly being revoked as various states—including Florida—begin implementing new measures to reopen the economy and attempt to resume a sense of normalcy. On Wednesday, April 29, Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly announced steps the Re-Open Florida Task Force will be taking to undo the statewide stay-at-home order.
Notably, retail vendors will be allowed to reopen, though with a limited indoor capacity of 25%. Similarly, restaurants will also be allowed to resume indoor operation at a reduced capacity of 25%. Additionally, restaurants will be permitted to offer outdoor seating, provided patrons are seated at least six feet apart. Elective surgeries will also be resumed under the new guidelines.
However, certain preventative precautions still remain in place until further notice. No changes will be implemented regarding the closure of bars, gyms, and businesses that offer personal services, such as hair salons. Schools will continue to offer online lessons only, and visitors to senior facilities are prohibited.
It is recommended that those who are vulnerable or at-risk for the disease continue self-isolation. Socializing in groups of more than ten people should be avoided.
New coronavirus testing sites are also being opened across the state, including five drive-thru testing sites and a mobile lab, which will help bring tests to the homeless and the homebound.
During the presentation, DeSantis also outlined how the number of coronavirus cases and fatalities in Florida has been significantly lower than health organizations and the media originally estimated before the stay-at-home order was put in place. Models had previously forecast that the number of COVID-19 patients would outnumber the number of hospital beds and ventilators available. Thankfully, this has not been the case.
Florida was also projected to become the next Italy or New York, but hospitalization and death statistics in Florida were much lower than Italy and a number of other states, including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
In the meantime, individuals are encouraged to continue practicing social distancing and healthy habits—such as frequent handwashing—as the state continues to transition during this difficult time.
