Effective May 18, gyms and retail may reopen and restaurants may expand seating

An executive order issued May 15 by Gov. Ron DeSantis eases restrictions in the first phase of the state's reopening.

By Jonathan Simmons
| 5:30 p.m. May 15, 2020

Stock photo by Nathaniel Dodson/ FreeImages

Palm Coast Observer
News

Effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, May 18, gyms and retail establishments may reopen at 50% capacity and restaurants may expand their inside seating from 25% seating capacity to 50%, according to an executive order issued by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis May 15. Outside seating is already allowed.

Restaurants may also allow parties to be seated at intervals closer than 6 get if appropriate partitoning is in place to separate them, according to the executive order. Bar counters must stay closed.

Gyms are required to adopt social distancing measures for classes and provide sanitation supplies so that patrons can wipe down the equipment between uses.

Counties may also seek approval to allow vacation rentals to reopen. That process, according to the executive order, involves the county administer writing a letter to the secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and detailing the county's safety plan for the rentals' operation.

View additional details HERE.