TAMPA, Fla. — Friday marks the first day of Florida's Phase II of Governor Ron DeSantis' "SAFE. SMART. STEP-BY-STEP" plan to reopen the state.
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.
Phase 2 applies to all Florida counties except Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Those three counties must get the state's approval before being included in Phase 2.
Miami, Broward and Palm Beach counties must seek approval to enter into Phase 2, Gov. 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
- Continue operating at 50% capacity, may now allow bar-top seating with proper social distancing
Retail
- May operate at full capacity with responsible social distancing and sanitization protocols
Gyms and fitness centers
- May operate at full capacity with appropriate social distancing and frequent sanitization
Amusement parks
- May reopen if submitted reopening plan is approved by local government and state
Entertainment businesses
- Movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys and arcades, may operate at 50 percent capacity with appropriate social distancing and sanitization protocols.
Personal services businesses
- Tattoo parlors, acupuncture establishments, tanning salons and massage establishments may operate while adhering to guidance from Florida Department of Health (DOH).
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 encouraged to avoid crowds and employees at long-term 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 and additional details of the order:
RE-OPENING UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES
State universities in Florida can develop task forces to create a plan to reopen campuses in the fall. Universities will present their plans on June 23.
