Most Florida Bars, Movie Theaters, Tattoo Shops Get OK To Reopen

ORLANDO, FL — Florida's famous watering holes, movie theaters, bowling alleys, tattoo shops and massage parlors have been given the green light to reopen on Friday in most — but not all of the state — as Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the start of the second phase of Florida's reopening from the coronavirus shutdown.

"One of the big differences is the bars," Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters at a press conference Wednesday outside Universal Studios. "In our phase two, we will be going with bars being able to operate, consistent with this guidance — diminished standing room, occupancy — so basically outdoor seating with social distancing. A certain amount indoors, but you are seated to get served."

Three Florida counties — Miami-Dade County, which includes Miami and Miami Beach; Broward County, which includes Fort Lauderdale; and Palm Beach County, which includes Palm Beach — will have to wait a little longer to enter the second phase of Florida's grand reopening. The mayors or administrators of those counties must request to be included in the phase 2 reopening before they will be added, according to DeSantis.

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Those three South Florida counties have been considered the epicenter of the state's coronavirus outbreak with some 55 percent of the state's total 58,764 confirmed cases as of Wednesday.

"The virus isn’t gone," DeSantis said. "I think we have an opportunity to continue to move forward in a safe, smart, step-by step-approach. I think it will give more people in Florida more opportunities."

Restaurants have already been able to reopen throughout all of Florida while beaches have reopened in many coastal communities, including Broward County and Palm Beach County.

Miami-Dade County beaches had been scheduled to reopen on Monday but the reopening was postponed following a night of violent protests over the death of George Floyd.

Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez requested that a countywide curfew remain in effect until this weekend. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez has said he plans to allow beaches to reopen once the curfew is lifted.

Under the second phase of Florida's reopening, restaurants will now be able to also seat people at their bars with appropriate social distancing measures in place.

Bars and pubs will be able to operate at 50 percent capacity inside and full capacity outside with seated service.

Gyms will be able to operate at full capacity with appropriate social distancing and frequent

sanitization.

Retail businesses can also operate at full capacity with social distancing and sanitization
protocols in place.

Movie theaters, concert houses and auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys and arcades may open at 50 percent capacity with social distancing and sanitization protocols in place.

Pari-mutual facilities may submit a plan to reopen with endorsement from their county mayors or county administrators in a process that will be similar to the process used by theme parks. Some facilities that are on tribal lands have already reopened in Florida since they do not fall under the jurisdiction of the state.

Tattoo parlors, acupuncture businesses and massage parlors may operate while adhering to guidance from the Florida Department of health.

A task force to reopen Florida state universities is expected to present a reopening plan on June 23.

DeSantis said he planned to sign the reopening order on Wednesday and it will take effect on Friday.