April 1st, 2020, Florida governor (Ron DeSantis) issued a statewide stay-at-home executive order (#20-91) requiring all non-essential businesses to close by 12:01am of this Friday 4/3/2020 (https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2020/04/01/gov-desantis-addresses-state-as-covid-19-cases-grow/).
The order requires all persons in Florida to limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.
A list of essential services and activities has been identified and the order states that the list may be modified as needed. As of the time of posting essential activities included:
· attending religious services,
· participating in recreational activities (walking, biking, swimming, etc.)
· taking care of pets,
· caring for a loved one or friend.
Please note that a social gathering in a public space is not an essential activity.
The order also encourages all essential businesses and organizations to provide take-out, delivery, and curbside service. Orders should be placed online or over the phone “to the greatest extent possible.”
The order notes that the State Coordinating Officer, in coordination with the health department, will maintain an online list of essential services. The list is available on the websites of the Division of Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Health.
This order will supersede any conflicting order issued by local officials in response to the COVID-19 “but only to the extent that such action or order allows essential services and essential activities prohibited by the Executive Order.”