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DeSantis: Phase Two Effective Friday To Reopen Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference at Universal Studios Wednesday, June 3, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. The Universal Studios theme park reopened today for season pass holders and will open to the general public on Friday. Bars and theme parks will be part of Florida's Phase 2 reopening after closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference at Universal Studios Wednesday, June 3, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. The Universal Studios theme park reopened today for season pass holders and will open to the general public on Friday. Bars and theme parks will be part of Florida's Phase 2 reopening after closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Gov. Ron DeSantis rolled out the next step in Florida's reopening today during a 12 p.m. press conference in Orlando, Fla. He announced Phase 2 would be effective in 64 counties as of Friday, June 5, excluding Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, which may participate on a petition basis.

Under Phase 1, Florida allowed the reopening of restaurants, retail shops, and gyms at half-capacity, along with elective surgeries in hospitals and certain personal services, like hair salons. Amusement parks were permitted to reopen on a petition basis, and professional sporting venues opened for training and some events.

"What the White House put out for Phase 2 -- not very different than what we're already doing," DeSantis said.

Under Phase 2, however, as outlined in Executive Order 20-139, the following changes will be permitted in Florida, provided CDC guidelines are observed:


  • Bars, and other vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, may operate at 50% of indoor capacity and maximum outdoor capacity. Restaurants will operate identically. Nightclubs are still restricted from reopening.
  • Retail shops may operate at maximum capacity.
  • Gyms may operate at maximum capacity.
  • Entertainment venues -- including movie theaters, playhouses and auditoriums -- may operate at 50% indoor capacity.
  • Pari-mutuel facilities, housing legal gambling machines, may reopen as permitted by local and county officials.
  • Other services deemed "personal," including tattoo parlors, massage and tanning salons, may resume operation.

Visitation to long-term care facilities will remain prohibited. The order officially recommends individuals avoid gatherings larger than 50 people. It also mandates that Florida public universities present a reopening strategy on June 23.

DeSantis ended the conference hinting an imminent announcement involving collegiate sports in the state.

The governor's comprehensive guide to Phase 1 and 2 is available here.

Gabriella Paul is a reporter for WUFT. She can be reached at gabbympaul@ufl.edu.