As a result of the COVID-19 order that Gov. DeSantis signed on June 3 allowing entertainment venues, bars and other businesses to re-open with restricted capacity, Lake County will enter Phase 2 of its Reopen Plan on Friday, June 5.
“As one of the Florida counties deemed ineligible to receive a direct allocation of the CARES Act funding provided to the State of Florida because we did not meet the population threshold, Lake County is seeking immediate action to fairly distribute the remainder of that funding to assist all counties in providing aid to our residents and businesses,” Lake County Commission Chairman Leslie Campione wrote in a letter to Gov. DeSantis on behalf of the Board.
The main guidelines for Phase 2 involve the following:
Individuals
- All persons in Florida are encouraged to follow appropriate social distancing and safety protocols issued by the CDC and OSHA.
- Senior citizens and individuals with a significant underlying medical condition are strongly encouraged to avoid crowds and take measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
- All persons in Florida are encouraged to avoid congregating in groups larger than 50 persons.
- Individuals should avoid travel to areas with substantial community spread and cruises, unless the traveling for commercial activity or for the purpose of academic work, internships, sports training and any other activity or program approved by the educational institution. This includes travel to U.S. states and cities outside of Florida with substantial community spread of COVID-19. Individuals coming to Florida from an area with substantial community spread, such as the New York Tri-State Area, should adhere to CDC guidelines regarding isolation for 14 days upon arrival in Florida.
Employers
- Continue to encourage telework whenever possible and feasible with business operations.
- Close common areas where personnel are likely to congregate and interact or enforce moderate social distancing protocols.
- Strongly consider special accommodations for personnel who are members of a vulnerable population.
- All persons who work in long-term care facilities should be tested for COVID-19 on a routine basis.
Opening Protocols
- Retail businesses may operate at full capacity.
- Restaurants and other establishments, and bars and other vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, may operate at fifty (50) percent of their indoor capacity, excluding employees, as under Executive Order 20-139. Bar areas may be open with seated service. In addition, outdoor seating is permissible with appropriate social distancing. This section does not apply to nightclubs. Non-conflicting provisions in Executive Order 20-71, Sections 1 and 2 remain in effect.
- Entertainment businesses, including but not limited to movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys, and arcades may operate at fifty (50) percent of their building capacity, with appropriate social distancing between groups and appropriate sanitation.
- Pari-mutuel facilities may seek to operate with a written request from the County Mayor or if no mayor the County Administrator to the Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the approval of the DBPR Secretary.
- Personal services, including but not limited to tattooing, body piercing, acupuncture, tanning and massage, may operate with appropriate safety guidelines as outlined by the Department of Health.
To sign up for the latest emergency notifications regarding COVID-19, text COVIDUPDATE to 888777 or visit www.lakecountyfl.gov/COVID-19 and follow Emergency Management at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyFLEmergencyManagement and www.twitter.com/lakeemergency. For the latest information, residents can call the Citizens Information Line at 352-253-999 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
