The Coronavirus Timeline
- Florida’s Gov. DeSantis declares a State of Emergency March 9th.
- The federal government recommends 15 days of social distancing on March 15th
- Disney and Universal close on Marth 17th
- Bars are closed, and restaurant to only offer take out and drive thru on March 20th
- All Florida public and private K-12 school campuses closed through May 1st on March 31st
- Florida issued a stay-at-home order on April 3rd
What is the difference, and can it be enforced? What does it mean?
Social Distancing
President Trump encouraged Americans to stay at home for 15 days to slow the spread of Coronavirus. Health officials along with both federal and local government also encourage social distancing and promote proper hygiene to reduce the spread of Coronavirus.
Social distancing is defined as not meeting in groups larger than 10 and staying 6 feet apart from each other. On the eve of the 15th day, the President extended social distancing for 30 more days.
This is in effect until April 30th.
Stay-at-Home Order
On Wednesday, April 1st, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a 30-day stay-at-home mandate. The mandate went into effect on April 3rd.
This order was announced following President Trump’s decision on March 31st to extend the National State of Emergency for another 30 days. Only essential business and essential activities are permitted. The mandate is an additional act to further slow the spread of the virus.
Florida residents should only leave their homes for essential activities or if they are essential workers.
Essential activities include going to the grocery store or pharmacy, caring for a family member or friend, seeking medical care, and outdoor activities using social distancing practices. All other social activities outside of the home are not supported.
Curfews are currently not in place and are adopted by local government.
The order can be enforced by state or local law enforcement and the mandate will end on will end on Thursday, April 30th.
Quarantine/Isolation
If you have tested positive or have been exposed to coronavirus and are under investigation/awaiting test results you will be quarantined for 14 days or until testing negative for COVID-19. This means isolating yourself from others, even within your household, and not leaving your home.
The order can be enforced by state or local law enforcement
Federal Quarantine:
Federal government cannot impose a mandatory quarantine for the country. It can, however, use quarantines to stop travel into and out of a state or the country.
Recently Americans were quarantined by the federal government after returning from travel in China and Europe.
