Florida Governor Issues Statewide “Safer At Home” Order
In a mid-afternoon press conference today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a 30-day “Safer at Home” executive order for all Floridians.
Effective at 12:01 am on April 3, 2020, the executive order and accompanying documents can be found on the Governor’s website here. Unless otherwise extended, the order will expire on April 30, 2020.
The order will exclude essential services as defined by the Department of Homeland Security here. DeSantis did note that some essential services were added based on those listed in Miami-Dade Emergency Order 20-89.
The vast majority of Executive Order 20-91 appears predicated upon guidance from President Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force to fight COVID-19 and Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees and largely incorporates Miami-Dade County’s Emergency Order 20-89 (and amendments) that list essential services and activities.
The Executive Order 20-91 and accompanying documents together outline the following:
- All non-essential retail and commercial establishments are ordered closed. The list is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce and Miami-Dade Emergency Order 20-89 and accompanying documents.
- Beyond the DHS Guidance, religious gatherings defined in both the state Executive Order 20-91 and the Miami-Dade Emergency Order 20-89 are allowed.
- Participating in recreational activities such as walking, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, running or swimming – with appropriate social distancing – is allowed.
- Caring for a pet or loved one is allowed.
- Restaurants are allowed to be open for take-out orders only.
- The order does not prohibit people from working from home and actually encourages it.
Other essential services may be added with the approval of the State Coordinating Officer and will be posted at www.floridadisaster.org and www.floridahealth.gov.