FL Restaurants Must Shift To Takeout, Gyms To Close: Coronavirus

TALLAHASSEE, FL — As the number of new coronavirus cases in Florida topped the 500 mark for the first time Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered all restaurants in the state to transition to takeout and delivery operations or risk being shut down.

Alcohol sales to go with food that is picked up or delivered will be permitted in the state but customers will be required to show identification.

The governor also ordered all gyms and fitness centers to be shut down throughout the state in an attempt to stem the spreading virus.

Florida's death toll from the illness climbed to 10 on Friday as the number of confirmed cases in the state rose to 520, including 46 cases of non-Florida residents who tested positive in the state. The total also includes a small number of Florida residents who tested positive in other states.

One day after calling South Florida the "epicenter" of the state's new coronavirus outbreak, Desantis also ordered all beaches and non-essential businesses to close in Palm Beach and Broward counties.

This includes bars, taverns, pubs, nightclubs, banquet halls, cocktail lounges, cabarets, breweries, cafeterias, movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys, arcades, fitness studios and beaches.

"Allowing restaurants to stay open for delivery and takeout, while also lifting the ban for alcohol delivery, is critical to supporting Florida's dining establishments and their employees," said Carol Dover, president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. We applaud Gov. DeSantis for allowing Florida's hospitality industry to continue to meet the needs of communities across Florida during this difficult time."

Under DeSantis' guidelines, the alcohol must be in a sealed contained and delivered with a food order. Customers must show proper identification.

Delivery services including Uber Eats, Postmates and Grubhub have a list of restaurants that currently have alcohol available with food orders.

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, who is under a self-imposed quarantine, ordered people to stay off Miami area beaches and also closed non-essential retail and commercial businesses as of Thursday.

Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties account for about half of all new coronavirus cases in Florida.