Gov. Ron DeSantis agreed to allow Palm Beach County restaurants and retailers to reopen in a limited capacity starting this Monday, the 11th. The move puts the Palm Beaches on the “phase 1” track along with most of the other counties. Miami-Dade and Broward counties will remain closed.
“I think Palm Beach is incredibly important for our state,” DeSantis said earlier today. “It’s not like flipping a switch ... but we’ll be able to get people back to work.”
The governor’s decision to let the Palm Beach County split from Broward and Miami-Dade counties came a day after county commissioners formally asked him to lift restrictions that are shackling the local economy.
Like restaurants and retailers in 64 other counties, those in Palm Beach County will be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity. Restaurants can offer outdoor dining as long as tables are six feet apart.
During the press conference, DeSantis noted that the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 has plummeted in the county in recent weeks. Once as high as 18 percent, in recent days less than 10 percent of those tested learn they are infected with the deadly coronavirus.
Here's what Phase 1 re-opening means to Palm Beach County:
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Restaurants can offer outdoor seating with 6-foot spacing between tables and indoor seating is limited to 25-percent capacity.
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Retail stores can operate at 25-percent of indoor capacity.
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Elective surgeries can resume.
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No changes to closures for bars, nightclubs, gyms, theaters, and personal services like salons and hairdressers.
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Schools remain distance-learning only.
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Visits to senior living facilities are still prohibited.
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Pharmacists will now be allowed to administer COVID-19 tests.
