Florida Is Reopening for Business. What Does this Mean for You?

Florida Is Reopening for Business. What Does this Mean for You?

On Thursday, April 30 Governor Ron DeSantis announced Phase 1 of a graduated strategy to reopen the state of Florida. The strategy is less aggressive than the Phase 1 strategy announced by the Trump administration the prior week. What does it mean for you, your family, and your business?

If you live in Southeast Florida (Palm Beach, Broward and Dade Counties), the reopening meant nothing – except Palm Beach County will begin a partial reopening. The three counties have been home to over 60% of the cases in the state. While the numbers continue to grow in Broward and Dade Counties, Palm Beach County has started to level off and slightly decline. It is likely that the other two counties will be in “stay at home” mode until June if not later.

The remainder of the state has seen a slowdown in new cases, even the more heavily populated counties such as Collier, Duval, Escambia, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Pinellas, and Sarasota, even after a week of being partially reopened. The strategy begs the question: Why should a large portion of the state be shut down when the outbreak has been more concentrated in South Florida?

Of course there are a number of issues one can take with the decision to reopen all but South Florida. What would happen, for example, if an asymptomatic person from South Florida heads to Orlando on business or to visit family, not knowing that he or she is contagious? You probably know the answer.

To keep the virus in check, the state is launching the most aggressive testing campaign in the Southeastern U.S. Mobile units with 45 minute test-results-turnaround and the National Guard will be focused on assisted-living facilities and nursing homes in an effort to protect the state’s most vulnerable. The state has a goal of testing 30,000 to 40,000 people a day, which would put Florida among the most intense testing states in the US.

The state is relying on its people and her visitors to use common sense by continuing to practice social distancing and exceptional hygiene (particularly frequent and thorough hand washing). To protect its youth and its educators, schools will remain closed as will theaters, entertainment venues (concert halls, etc.) and sporting event stadiums. As of May 11, hair and nail salons, and barber shops were given the green light to reopen under specific safety guidelines. Other business openings will be on hold until Phase 2 of the reopening is launched and, in some cases, Phase 3.

So what’s changing? Those who work in offices or professional buildings that had been previously labeled non-essential businesses can return to work, IF their employer so elects to reopen with appropriate protection for employees. Retailers can reopen at 25% indoor capacity, maintaining a social distancing policy for employees and patrons alike, with or without facemasks. Restaurants can reopen using 25% of their indoor dining capacity (maintaining social distancing per table), and at six-foot distancing for those eating outdoors. Keep in mind that most restaurants cannot operate profitably at 25% capacity so many may wait to open. Malls and strip shopping centers can also reopen, and many are, with hopes that patrons will self-administer social distancing guidelines.

Bottom line, the success or failure of the state’s reopening initiative will largely depend on its ability to ramp up testing, particularly in the areas that have been hardest hit, insuring that the state’s elderly population continues to be well protected.

Most importantly, what does this mean for you? Yes, you can return to your favorite restaurant or shop, but if you’re inclined to do so, we recommend you call ahead to insure the business is open, and make a reservation. If you have underlying conditions that make you vulnerable to a potentially serious case of the virus or are over 65, you should continue to stay at home. If not, don’t let fear dictate what you should do. Do what you would normally do, taking appropriate safety measures when you do.

10 tips if you plan to leave the house, recently published by the Tampa Bay Times: https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2020/05/11/so-you-want-to-leave-your-house-read-these-10-tips-first/