March 17
Governor DeSantis requests that schools remain closed through April 15th. All PreK-12 school testing canceled this year and no school grades.
http://fldoe.org/em-response/index.stml
Governor DeSantis orders all bars, nightclubs, breweries to close for 30 days. Restaurants restricted to no more than 50% capacity. Groups are limited to 10 people at restaurants, beaches, and patrons must distance themselves by at least 6 feet.
https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-68.pdf
Gov. DeSantis calls for Florida universities to do online classes through rest of spring semester https://www.fox13news.com/news/gov-desantis-calls-for-florida-universities-to-do-online-classes-through-rest-of-spring-semester
CMS Approves First State Request for 1135 Medicaid Waiver in Florida https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-approves-first-state-request-1135-medicaid-waiver-florida
March 16
Governor Ron DeSantis Thanks Legislature for Taking Swift Action to Make Nearly $28 Million in Federal Funds Available for COVID-19 Response
https://www.flgov.com/2020/03/16/governor-ron-desantis-thanks-legislature-for-taking-swift-action-to-make-nearly-28-million-in-federal-funds-available-for-covid-19-response/
Governor Ron DeSantis Activates Emergency Bridge Loan Program for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 https://www.flgov.com/2020/03/16/governor-ron-desantis-activates-emergency-bridge-loan-program-for-small-businesses-impacted-by-covid-19/
Surgeon General Rivkees issues emergency order DOH 20-002 allowing health care professionals licensed in any U.S. state or territory to practice in Florida, including telehealth, for 30 days. http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/ssg-orders/_documents/filed-eo-doh-no.-20-002-medical-professionals-03.16.2020.pdf
March 14
Governor DeSantis announces a ban on visiting nursing homes for 30 days to slow coronavirus spread https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2020/03/14/coronavirus-florida-bans-visitors-all-nursing-homes-30-days/5052519002/
March 13
Governor DeSantis announces all Florida public schools to close for 2 weeks to limit coronavirus spread https://www.fox13news.com/news/all-florida-pubilc-schools-to-close-for-2-weeks-to-limit-coronavirus-spread
March 12
Governor Ron DeSantis Activates Emergency Business Damage Assessment Survey for Coronavirus (COVID-19) https://www.flgov.com/2020/03/12/governor-ron-desantis-activates-emergency-business-damage-assessment-survey-for-coronavirus-covid-19/
Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) Provides Guidance to Florida Securities Professionals Regarding COVID-19 https://flofr.com/sitePages/OFRNews.htm?p=ofr-provides-guidance-to-securities-professionals-regarding-covid-19
Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) Provides Guidance to Florida State-Chartered Financial Institutions Regarding COVID-19 https://flofr.com/sitePages/OFRNews.htm?p=ofr-provides-guidance-to-florida-state-chartered-financial-institutions-regarding-covid-19
March 9
Governor DeSantis issues Executive Order No. 20-52 which designates the Director of the Division of Emergency Management as the State Coordinating Officer for COVID-19
https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-52.pdf
March 1
Governor DeSantis issues Executive Order 20-51 which directs Surgeon General Rivkees to declare a public health emergency to better equip Florida with the resources needed to handle this public health threat https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-51.pdf
Local Action on COVID-19
March 18
City of Tampa to Launch Tampa Recovery Hotline for Social Recovery and Business Relief in the face of COVID-19 https://www.tampagov.net/news/city-tampa-launch-tampa-recovery-hotline-social-recovery-and-business-relief-face-covid-19
March 17
Miami-Dade County issues emergency orders closing all restaurant dining rooms (takeout and delivery only) and all bars, bowling alleys, movie theaters, gyms, fitness studios. Groups larger than 10 not allowed on beaches, parks, or county recreation facilities. Use of mopeds, scooters, bikes, motorized bikes not allowed on public roadways.
https://www.miamidade.gov/information/library/coronavirus-emergency-order-03-20-food-service.pdf
https://www.miamidade.gov/information/library/coronavirus-emergency-order-05-20-scooters.pdf
https://www.miamidade.gov/information/library/coronavirus-emergency-order-04-20-parks.pdf
Miami Beach issues emergency order closing all public beaches and parks, sidewalk cafes, and city parking lots and garages. Curfew is in effect from 12pm to 5am. All restaurants, bars, pubs, breweries are closed for dining room service (takeout and delivery only). All movie theaters, arcades, live performances, gyms, and fitness centers are closed. All other non-essential businesses shall close by 10pm https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Scan_Granado-Rafael_14_09_03-17_03_2020-2.pdf
Ft. Lauderdale announces all public gatherings more than 10 people are prohibited. All bars, pubs, night clubs shall close. All gyms and fitness studios shall close. All restaurants shall end dine-in customer service (takeout and delivery only). All beaches, city parks and recreational facilities are closed. All city commission meetings, public board meetings, sports leagues, and HOA meetings are postponed.
https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/home/showdocument?id=45654
Town of Palm Beach orders curfew from 9pm to 6am. All public beaches and recreation facilities are closed. https://www.townofpalmbeach.com/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=COVID19-Notice-31720-1049
March 16
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry orders bars, restaurants, movie theaters and churches to limit attendance to no more than 50 people as of 5 p.m. Monday. https://www.coj.net/departments/fire-and-rescue/emergency-preparedness/preparedenss/covid-19-information
City of St. Pete orders prohibition on public assemblies of larger than 50 people. Restaurants, bars, theaters, stadiums, bowling allies, athletic fields, arenas, gyms, and fitness centers must operate at no more than 50% capacity beginning March 17th. http://www.stpete.org/emergency/docs/Order%202020-03%20Order%20for%20public%20assembalge.pdf
City of Orlando announces all city-sponsored or hosted events with more than 10 people are canceled. https://www.orlando.gov/COVID-19
South Florida cities—including Miami, Miami Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Delray Beach, Hallandale—announce sweeping restrictions on bars/restaurants, curfews, canceled public events, and beach closures.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-curfew-in-delray-and-hallandale-20200317-ogn2ve2udrcd3m53jdrgwupz3e-story.html
Tampa and St. Pete limit restaurants and bars to 50% capacity. Tampa bars and restaurants must close by 10pm; last call for alcohol in St. Pete is 9 p.m.
https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2020/03/16/tampa-warns-restaurants-bars-it-may-order-restricted-hours-or-closures/
St. Pete joins other local governments in allowing city employees to work from home
https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2020/03/16/st-pete-wont-let-most-city-office-staff-work-at-home-during-coronavirus/
March 12
Miami-Dade declares a local state of emergency https://www.miamidade.gov/information/library/coronavirus-state-of-emergency.pdf
