Latest Orders and Directives
The Governor held a press conference on Friday, Sept. 25, where he announced he was moving the state into the Phase 3 of the reopening, that restaurant capacity limits would be lifted, and that he was suspending the collection of fines for mask violations against individuals.
Monroe County’s facial covering ordinance is still in effect and can be enforced against businesses that do not follow Monroe County Ordinance 026-2020. There will be no citations against individuals, but code compliance can still cite businesses that are not requiring facial coverings inside the business. Facial coverings should still be worn whenever unable to socially distance and outside, as well.
Current restrictions on restaurant/bar capacity were imposed by the State, not the County. Businesses may operate at full capacity. Businesses, including restaurants and bars, should continue practicing social distancing for the protection of their customers.
Governor’s Executive Orders
- Governor’s Executive Order 20-244 – Phase 3
Executive Order 20-244 does the following:
- Removes state-level restrictions on businesses, such as restaurants.
- Provides that no COVID-19 emergency ordinance may prevent an individual from working or operating a business, giving Floridians and business owners needed certainty and the ability to provide for themselves and their families.
- Provides that restaurants may not be limited by a COVID-19 emergency order by any local government to less than 50% of their indoor capacity. If a restaurant is limited to less than 100% of its indoor capacity, such COVID-19 emergency order must satisfy the following:
i. Quantify the economic impact of each limitation or requirements on those restaurants; and
ii. Explain why each limitation or requirement is necessary for public health. - Suspends all outstanding fines and penalties, and the collection of such moving forward, applied against individuals related to COVID-19.
Facial Coverings Required in Businesses
Monroe County requires all persons over the age of six to wear a facial covering inside a business in Monroe County.
- Monroe County Ordinance 026-2020 – Facial covering requirements in businesses
The ordinance requires operators and employees of business establishments to ensure customers comply within the establishment. A face covering MUST cover the nose and mouth and may include a face mask, homemade mask, or other cloth, silk, or linen covering, such as a scarf, bandana, handkerchief, or other similar cloth covering.
The facial covering ordinance applies throughout Monroe County and the municipalities, but the municipalities may impose different protective measures.
Exceptions
- Restaurant or bar customers while dining while seated at a table and consuming food and/or beverages.
- A gym patron engaged in a workout or class where at least 6 feet of distancing exists with the next closest patron.
- Barbershop or beauty salon customers or patrons when wearing a face covering would reasonably interfere with receiving services.
- Business owners, managers, and employees who are in an area of a business establishment that is not open to customers, patrons, or the public, provided that 6 feet of distance exist between employees. This exception does not apply to employees who are present in the kitchen or other food and beverage preparation area of a restaurant or food establishment. When an owner, manager, or employee is in their place of employment but not within six feet of another person, that owner, manager, or employee does not need to wear a mask.
- A lodging establishment guest when inside of the lodging unit.
- The owner, operator, manager, and employee of a business or lodging establishment shall ensure that every individual in that establishment complies with this section.
Please visit this link for more information: https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/1169/COVID-19