Florida Governor announces plans to reopen the state

In a late afternoon briefing, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the first steps to begin the reopening of Florida amid COVID-19.

Phase 1 of the reopening will begin Monday May 4 2020, excluding Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties (Walt Disney World is located in Orange and Osceola). Many of the existing coronavirus protocols will remain in place including protecting the vulnerable, increasing testing, promoting social distancing, supporting hospitals and preventing introduction from outside the state.

DeSantis referred to Florida meeting the White House Gating Criteria to enter Phase 1 of the three phase reopening plan, which means:

• SYMPTOMS - Downward trajectory of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) reported within a 14-day period AND Downward trajectory of covid-like syndromic cases reported within a 14-day period
  
  
• CASES - Downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period OR Downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period (flat or increasing volume of tests)
  
  
• HOSPITALS - Treat all patients without crisis care AND Robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including emerging antibody testing

Florida is broadly following the criteria outlined by Trump's "Opening Up America Again" guidelines, but with some slightly stricter modifications. Below are the guidelines for Phase 1 in Florida:

• Schools closed and will remain remain distance learning
• Visits to senior living prohibited
• Elective surgeries can resume
• Restaurants can use outdoor seating with six foot spacing and and indoor seating at 25% with six foot spacing
• Retail can operate at 25% occupancy
• Movie Theaters, Bars, gyms and personal services like hair dressers will remain closed
• Face masks recommended
• Avoid groups of more than 10

DeSantis said that Florida will continue to monitor key metrics to move to the next phase, and he stated that is does not need to take months (hopefully weeks) but will be data driven.

Meanwhile, in a separate briefing at the county level, Mayor Demings said that plans for reopening Orange County will be announced by the end of the week.

The Walt Disney World theme parks have been closed since March 16 until further notice.

Disney is yet to make any further announcements, but by the end of the week both the state and county will have made their statements, putting the ball largely in Disney's court on a reopening plan. However, it seems clear that the majority of Walt Disney World can not operate under Phase 1 limitations.