Governor DeSantis Says Florida Will Have No New Lockdowns, Mask Mandates, or Other COVID-19 Measures

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

In a recent press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis stated that Florida would have no more anti-COVID-19 measures, including lockdowns or mask mandates, though cases continue to rise in the state and the rest of the U.S.A.

He specifically said there would be “no lockdowns, no fines, no school closures. No one’s losing their job because of a government dictate. Nobody’s losing their livelihood or their business. That is totally off the table.”

The press conference at Boggy Creek Elementary was highlighting an order that allows Florida schools to stay open for the rest of the year.

There were 54,246 new COVID-19 cases and 509 reported deaths last Sunday to Sunday according to the state health department. Total cases for the state are nearing 1 million and deaths are nearing 19,000.

DeSantis has prevented local governments from imposing mask mandates and waived outstanding fees for non-compliance of previously issued mandates.

Private businesses like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are able to impose their own mask mandate. As of now masks, social distancing, and temperature checks are required throughout Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. Orange County, where Walt Disney World resides, has also maintained a mask mandate since June.

Disney States Face Coverings Are Still Required Despite Florida’s Phase 3 Reopening

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

We previously shared Florida’s Governor announced Florida is moving into “Phase 3” reopening. Under Phase 3, “Theme parks may return to normal operations with limited social distancing protocols”. Despite this new order, Disney has stated face covering are still required.

Two young guests stop to take a photo at Magic Kingdom Park, July 11, 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on the first day of the theme park’s phased reopening. (Olga Thompson, photographer)

As shared by FOX35: Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Friday that Florida will be moving into Phase 3 of reopening. According to the governor’s ‘Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step’ plan, “theme parks may return to normal operations with limited social distancing protocols” in Phase 3.

Disney responded to FOX35 with the following statement: 

“We received the Governor’s executive order and are evaluating it to determine what it may mean for our business. We are not making any immediate changes. As a reminder, face coverings are still required at Walt Disney World Resort.” 

Florida Moves Into Phase 3 Reopening; No Restrictions on Restaurant & Bar Capacity

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

HUGE NEWS for Florida last week! Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order September 25, removing all remaining restrictions on businesses because of COVID-19. Bars and restaurants are no longer required to operate at less than full capacity effective immediately.

As shared by OrlandoSentinel: “We are today moving into what we initially called phase 3,” DeSantis said during a press conference in St. Petersburg. “And what that’ll mean for the restaurants is there will not be limitations from the state of Florida.” “We’re also saying in the state of Florida everybody has a right to work,” he added. “(Local governments) can do reasonable regulations but they can’t just say no.”

There are four major provisions of the order:

  • It removes all remaining state-level restrictions on businesses, including on bars and restaurants, which were capped at 75% capacity in Phase 3 of DeSantis’ original reopening plan.
  • It provides a general right to work and to operate a business. Local governments can limit and regulate businesses, but won’t be able to close businesses because of coronavirus concerns.
  • Local governments won’t be able to prevent restaurants from operating at below 50% capacity. Under previous orders, local governments could go further than state-level restrictions, and counties in South Florida kept restaurants and bars closed after the state allowed them to reopen. Also, cities and counties won’t be able to impose any restrictions without an economic and health justification.
  • Cities and counties can’t collect on any outstanding fines they issued as part of their pandemic response. The order, though, doesn’t compel local governments to refund anyone who has already paid a fine.

Theme Parks “Can Definitely Do a Lot More” – Governor Ron DeSantis

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Via Disneyfanatic.com

Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis and Visit Florida unveiled a $13 million ad campaign yesterday, September 2, designed to urge Floridians to travel within the Sunshine State. DeSantis also said he believed Central Florida theme parks “can definitely do a lot more” when it comes to expanding visitor capacity according to OrlandoSentinel.

As shared by OrlandoSentinel: When DeSantis was asked about theme parks, DeSantis said that while Disney, Universal and SeaWorld “made the business decision to start off very conservative,” he cited the low crowds he saw at Universal Orlando on a recent trip to argue that the parks can begin to expand capacity. “There was a lot of space,” he said. “It was not like people were crowding at all. … The parks are big enough that they can really accommodate a lot of folks, so they can definitely do that if they want.”

Dana Young, head of the taxpayer-financed tourism marketing agency, said research has shown that “people right now, even though many aren’t ready to travel, feel more comfortable traveling closer to home. And right now they’re feeling more comfortable driving. … Our goal of Visit Florida through this campaign is initially to harness that pride that Floridians have, and then channel it toward rebuilding our economy.”

Governor Ron DeSantis States Florida Government is “Comfortable” with Expanding Theme Park Capacity

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

During today’s “One Goal, One Florida” theme park roundtable, which took place at Universal Orlando Resort, Governor Ron DeSantis stated that the state of Florida is “comfortable” with expanding capacity at the Central Florida theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort.

Given the current elevated health and safety measures in place at the theme parks, the state deems it safe to increase the amount of people allowed into the parks. During the roundtable, Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort park officials spoke on current reopening progress and staffing at the parks. While the trends are favorable for the parks so far after the massive hit of the pandemic, thousands of workers are still on extended furlough.

The conference ended on a favorable note, with characters appearing from Universal Orlando Resort’s Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, but generally brought few new details besides the possibility of expanded capacity at the parks. Do note that neither resort has issued any announcements regarding upped capacity at any of the parks.