Gov. DeSantis Issues Two New Executive Orders for COVID-19
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-82
(Emergency Management – COVID-19 –Isolation of Individuals Traveling to Florida)
WHEREAS, Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among humans through respiratory transmission and presents with symptoms similar to those of influenza; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, I issued Executive Order number 20-51 directing the Florida Department of Health to issue a Public Health Emergency; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer declared a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a state of emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, many cases of COVID-19 in Florida have resulted from individuals coming into the State of Florida from international travel and other states, posing great risk to Florida residents; and
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-80 requiring the screening, isolation and quarantine of individuals whose point of departure originated outside the State of Florida in an area with substantial community spread, to include the New York Tri-State Area; and
WHEREAS, Florida is experiencing an increase in individuals fleeing to Florida from states where “shelter-in-place” orders are being implemented, including from the New York Tri-State Area; and
WHEREAS, as Governor, I am responsible for meeting the dangers presented to this state and its people by this emergency.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section (1)(a) of the Florida Constitution, Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order to take immediate effect:
Section 1.
- I hereby direct all persons who enter the State of Florida from an area with substantial community spread, to include the New York Tri-State Area (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York), to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry into the State of Florida or the duration of the person’s presence in the State of Florida, whichever is shorter. This Order shall not apply to persons employed by the airlines and those performing military, emergency or health response. This Order shall take effect immediately and apply retroactively to all persons who have entered Florida after being in any area with substantial community spread within the previous 14 days. All persons isolating or quarantining under this Section shall be responsible for all costs associated with their isolation or quarantine, including transportation, lodging, food, medical care and any other expenses to sustain the person during the period of isolation or quarantine.
- I hereby direct all persons covered under Section 1(A) of this Order to inform any individual in Florida with whom they have had direct physical contact in the past 21 days that they traveled from an area with substantial community spread.
Section 2. Failure to follow Section 1 of this Order is a second-degree misdemeanor pursuant to section 252.50, Florida Statutes, and is punishable by imprisonment not to exceed 60 days, a fine not to exceed $500, or both.
Section 3.
- Pursuant to section 252.47, Florida Statutes, I hereby direct all state, county and local law enforcement authorities to enforce this Order. Any law enforcement authority that interacts with a person in violation of Section 1(A) of this Order shall immediately report the individual, along with personal identifying and contact information, to the Florida Department of Health.
- Pursuant to section 381.0012(5), Florida Statutes, “it shall be the duty of every state and county attorney, sheriff, police officer, and other appropriate city and county officials upon the request to assist the Department of Health” in enforcing any isolation or quarantine, state health law and order of the Department of Health issued pursuant to this Order.
Section 4. This Executive Order shall expire upon the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions, or upon an Executive Order lifting the isolation or quarantine after advice from the State Health Officer and Surgeon General.
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-83
(Emergency Management – COVID-19 –Protective Measures for Vulnerable Populations, Gatherings of Private Citizens and Density of the Workforce)
WHEREAS, Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among humans through respiratory transmission and presents with symptoms similar to those of influenza; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, I issued Executive Order number 20-51 directing the Florida Department of Health to issue a Public Health Emergency; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer declared a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a state of emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions are particularly at risk for severe illness or death due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, President Donald J. Trump and the CDC issued “15 Days to Slow the Spread” guidance advising individuals to avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people and advising older persons and persons with serious underlying health conditions to stay home and away from others; and
WHEREAS, as Governor, I am responsible for meeting the dangers presented to this state and its people by this emergency.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section (1)(a) of the Florida Constitution, Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order to take immediate effect:
Section 1.
- I hereby direct the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer to issue a public health advisory to all persons over 65 years of age urging them to stay home and to take such other measures as necessary to limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19.
- I further direct the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer to issue a public health advisory to persons that have a serious underlying medical condition that places them at a high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Consistent with CDC guidance, such conditions include, but not limited to, chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma; serious heart conditions; immunocompromised status, including those in cancer treatment; and severe obesity. The Surgeon General’s advisory must urge these persons to stay home and to take such other measures as necessary to limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Section 2. I hereby direct the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer to issue a public health advisory against all social or recreational gatherings of 10 or more people.
Section 3. I hereby direct the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer to issue a public health advisory to those who can work remotely urging them to do so.
Section 4. Any action(s) taken or document(s) issued by the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer pursuant to this Executive Order shall not constitute a rule as defined in section 120.52(16), Florida Statutes, and are specifically exempted from any and all requirements or procedures outlined in chapter 120 and section 252.46, Florida Statutes.
Section 5. This Executive Order shall expire upon the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions.
