TAMPA, Fla. — Florida is on its way to reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic. The state's 'safer at home' order was lifted on April 30. Governor Ron DeSantis outlined a plan to restart Florida's economy.
Beaches and restaurants have been closed for more than a month to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and now they can start opening back up.
But, there are restrictions to be aware of.
You'll see an increased law enforcement presence on Pinellas County beaches when they open at 7 a.m. Officers and deputies will be encouraging people to continue social distancing by staying 6-feet apart and not gathering in groups of more than 10.
The parking lots will also be open.
Restaurants can reopen for dine-in service, but will only be allowed to seat 25 percent of their indoor capacity and six feet apart outside.
While barbershops, hair and nail salons were not originally listed under "Phase One," the governor approved of them opening Monday, May 11, with restrictions.
RELATED: Here's what's opening in Tampa Bay
Here's what you can expect to be open as part of Phase One:
- Beaches in Pinellas, Citrus, Hernando, Sarasota and Manatee Counties
- Public pools in Pinellas County at 50-percent capacity
- Pinellas County parks and trails
- Restaurants for dine-in service
- Retail stores, shopping malls
- Healthcare offices that provide elective surgeries
- State parks
- Some Tampa Bay attractions
- All tennis courts in the City of Sarasota
- Clearwater Ferry
- Clearwater Beach Jolley Trolley
- Tampa parks, public pools to reopen Saturday
Here's what is staying closed on Monday, May 4:
- Beaches in Hillsborough and Pasco County
- Bars
- Gyms
- Schools continue with e-learning models
- Playgrounds
- Visits to senior living facilities
Masks are still recommended for all face-to-face interactions and situations where you can not practice social distancing. People who are vulnerable to COVID-19 should continue to avoid close contact with people outside of the home. Doctors say that it's important to continue your vigilance and social distancing and just because things may be reopening, doesn't mean you should always go.
Phase one of Florida's reopening plan included the Tampa Bay area, but not Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties at first. On Thursday, DeSantis said those counties could start phase one.
Dates for Florida's phase two and three of reopening have not been decided yet.
What other people are reading right now:
- Here's what's reopening in Florida today
- Florida Health quietly releases more specific data on nursing home deaths
- 'Murder hornets' are now the U.S. and decapitating America's bees
- Tampa-area malls reopening: International Plaza, Westfield centers
- Restaurants start reopening to a new normal. Here's what to expect
- Coronavirus in context: Florida COVID-19 cases explained in 5 charts
- Hotlines, websites offer the latest on COVID-19
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