JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis traveled to Jacksonville Friday, where he announced that, effective Monday, Florida will move into a "full phase one" of reopening. That means allowing some businesses to return that hadn't been allowed to resume operations yet.
Gyms will be allowed to operate, starting Monday, but they should encourage social distancing.
Restaurants will be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity rather than the 25 percent dining room capacity previously allowed. Museums and libraries will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity, too.
Under "full" phase one, all staff will be tested at long-term care facilities and the state's mobile testing teams will be expanded.
Florida's gyms and fitness centers had been closed during the coronavirus pandemic. President Donald Trump's administration previously included gyms in phase one of the White House guidelines for reopening the United States. But, Florida did not include gyms as part of its initial section of phase one -- which allowed restaurants and retailers to operate at 25 percent capacity. Now, with the "full" phase one, gyms will be able to reopen their doors.
In Georgia, gyms and fitness centers reopened on April 24. Georgia's 7-day moving average shows a continued decline in new coronavirus cases this month. In contrast, Florida's 14-day moving average shows a slight increase in recent days.
Professional sports teams can use their venues, but fans aren't allowed back yet.
Florida's governor did not indicate when movie theaters might be allowed to resume operations. Florida bars cannot open yet. Rules regarding rentals in the the state will be left up to county leaders, who have to submit plans to the governor's office for approval on a case-by-case basis.
Florida theme parks will be allowed to submit reopening plans to the state that will need to include dates when they believe they can safely reopen. It's unclear exactly when theme parks could reopen. But, elected leaders say they are ready to begin reviewing proposals for future dates.
What other people are reading right now:
- Here's a list of Tampa Bay-area summer camps impacted by coronavirus concerns
- Gym owners hopeful, preparing to reopen as part of phase one
- MacDill Air Force Base plans hospital flyovers to thank front line heroes
- Phase Two in sight as more businesses reopen, but experts say we haven't flattened the curve just yet
- Medal of Honor recipient who saved lives in Afghanistan dies
- Here's how many Americans have filed for unemployment
- Is something already brewing in the tropics before hurricane season?
FREE 10NEWS APP:
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter