04/28/2020
Florida Stay at Home Order expires April 30th and the governor has not given a timeline for the reopening of Florida. What does that mean for businesses?
If the governor of Florida does not extend the current state-wide stay at home order, it would mean that business have to apply by any county-wide orders and any other order that are currently in place state wide. This would mean that generally most businesses could reopen. The only orders still in effect would be orders limiting restaurants to take out orders, and on-site alcohol consumption would be prohibited. Gyms and Fitness Centers would remain closed unless they fall under an exception. Fitness Centers in hotel with a capacity under 10 are exempt, as well as fitness centers that serve an an amenity in a residential building (arguably HOAs), and fitness centers in a single occupant office building. Also elective medical procedures would be still be suspended. All of those restrictions would be in place as long as the state of emergency in Florida is in place unless rescinded by the governor.
However, if your county has a county-wide order, businesses would still have to comply with that order. Here is what that means for the Tampa Bay Area: Hillsborough and Pinellas County both have similar stay at home orders. Both orders allow essential businesses to operate as well as non-essential businesses as long as they can follow social distancing. Those orders would for example prevent barber shops, hair salons and nail salons to open. Manatee County, Sarasota County, Polk County and Pasco County do not have any such orders.
The Florida governor is meeting with President Trump today and may still make an announcement regarding reopening or extending his order in the next few days. Please note that a violation of either the state-wide order or county orders in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties are a second degree misdemeanor. If you are charge with a crime contact the Wade Law Firm at 813-401-0130 or visit the website at www.flcriminaldefender.com.
