Phase 1- Re-Opening Florida

Posted By: Trinity Kutschinski COVID-19,

On May 4, 2020, Florida began Phase 1 of its re-opening process. The Governor remains hopeful that the state will move quickly, yet steadily through Phase 1, and will have the ability to embark into Phase 2 within the next few weeks. Two weeks later, under Executive Order 20-123 and Executive Order 20-131, Florida has officially entered full Phase 1 of recovery. 

Executive Order 20-123- Full Phase 1: Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Plan for Florida's Recovery

Click the button below to see what is allowed and what is not allowed under Executive Order 20-123.

Full Phase 1 ✅

Executive Order 20-131- Expansion of Full Phase 1: Safe Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery

20-131 expands Florida's full Phase 1 recovery to include and allow for organized your activity operations (i.e.- youth sports teams, clubs, programs, child care, etc.)

The Task Force continues to take public comment and is looking for Floridians to weigh in on the decision-making process by making recommendations on how they believe the state can best move forward. At this time, if you wish to provide the Task Force with comments or recommendations, you may do so here.


Phased ReOpening Guidelines

  • Read about the details of Executive Order 20-123, outlining Phase 1 of Florida's re-opening, and additional information regarding county and municipal emergency orders, below. 

#2020-121 Executive Order extends Executive Order #20-94 re: Limited Extension of Mortgage Foreclosure and Eviction Relief

  • Executive Order 20-121 extends the mortgage foreclosure and eviction relief until June 2, 2020.

STATE

Effective Monday, May 18, 2020, the State entered full Phase 1 of its recovery efforts. Executive Order 20-123 and 20-131, brought all Florida counties into full Phase 1 of recovery and allows for the following:

  • Restaurants, in-store retail, museums, libraries, as well as, gyms and fitness centers to operate and 50% capacity. 
  • Counties may seek approval to operate vacation rentals within the county's jurisdictions through the submittal of a written request and an outlined operational safety plan. 
  • (20-131) Organized Youth Activities may resume, to include, clubs, programs, leagues, and childcare. 

Effective Monday, May 12, 2020, Governor DeSantis announced that hair salons, barbershops, and nail salons will be allowed to reopen.

Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-112 (re: Phase 1: Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery) on April 29, 2020. This Executive Order will go into effect Monday, May 4, 2020

Executive Order 20-112 FAQs

Outlined below, under this Order, the following is allowed and the following is prohibited.

As part of 20-112, counties and municipalities have the ability to put tighter restrictions in place should they feel the need to do so. Below we have outlined our five counties and any further restrictions that will remain in effect, on top of 20-112. 


By County Orders & Updates

Orange

  • May 1- Orange County also issued Emergency Order 20-12- Reopening Orange County and Requiring Social Distancing and Face Coverings.
  • This Order outlines the following:
    • Sec. 1- Gatherings- All persons in Orange County should avoid congregating in large groups and maintain a 6 feet distance. Groups of more than 10 people are not permitted to congregating in any public space where proper social distancing cannot occur. 
      • Senior citizens and individuals with significant underlying health conditions are encouraged to continue to stay home.
    • Sec. 2- Minimum Standards for Businesses and Places of Assembly- All persons, employees, patrons, and participants must practice social distancing by staying at least six (6) feet apart. 
      • Employees and patrons of businesses that require the employee/patron to be within six (6) feet's distance of one another must wear facial coverings.

Osceola

  • Effective Monday, May 4, 2020, Osceola's Executive Order COVID-19 repealed the emergency curfew. 
  • Emergency Order NO. 5- Mandatory Facial Coverings- Osceola County's emergency order requires all individuals working, living, visiting, or doing business in the County to wear a facial covering consistent with CDC guidelines.  

Seminole

  • Executive Order 20-017- Social Distancing Guidelines Adhering to Opening Up America Guidelines- Seminole County requires businesses and places of assembly to adhere to the following:
    • All persons, employees, patrons, and participants must practice social distancing by staying 6 feet apart.
    • Businesses that require employees and patrons to be within 6 feet must both wear a face mask/covering unless the customer wearing the mask would impede the service.
    • Business meetings, workshops, and training programs must ensure appropriate social distancing.
    • Groups of 10 or more people are prohibited from congregating in any public space that does not allow for proper social distancing.
    • Retail and Restaurants- Limit occupancy to 25% of building capacity.
    • Other Businesses and Places of Assembly- Limit occupancy to 50% building/area capacity.
    • Checkout points and Staging Areas- Must ensure social distancing of customers with floor markings or something similar to maintain 6 feet distance. 
  • Penalties for Violation of 20-017- Businesses and individuals that do not comply with this Order on a consistent basis are subject to a $500 fine per occurrence

20-017 will take effect on Monday, May 4, 2020, and will remain in effect throughout the Local State of Emergency, unless rescinded earlier. 

Lake

  • For business re-opening guidelines, the County is asking business owners to visit the Agency for Economic Prosperity.
    • The Agency issued Emergency Order Resolution No. 2020-34 which requires the following:
      • Businesses
        • Employees and patrons must stay 6 feet apart.
        • Group meetings and training must be 10 people or less. 
        • Checkpoints and staging areas must be marked to ensure customer/employee social distancing.
        • Occupancy is limited to 30% of maximum capacity.
      • Individuals
        • Social gatherings must be limited to no more than 10 people and all individuals must maintain a six feet distance

COVID-19 Emergency Order- Res. NO. 20-34

Volusia 

  • Effective Saturday, May 9, 2020, vehicle access on select sections of Volusia County beaches will resume.
    • The County has established "zones" and driving/parking will be restricted outside of the zones. Vehicles must park in front of a dedicated zone post (posts have been placed 25 feet apart to prevent overcrowding) and only one vehicle will be allowed to park at each post. 
  • Restrooms and showers on the beach and in-county operated coastal parks will reopen Saturday. 
  • Effective Saturday, May 2, 2020, the County will lift the activity restrictions on beaches. 
    • This allows for sitting, sunbathing, etc.
    • Groups will be limited to a maximum of 6 people and groups will be required to distance themselves by at least 10 feet from other groups. 

More on County Services and Facility Openings/Closures