As Wuhan coronavirus cases reach 7,000 across the state, Florida is finally shutting down. Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order that will go into effect Thursday night that will place the state under a stay-at-home order. The governor has recently done this for just south Florida where most of the cases emanated, but the spread of this disease has forced him to finally take this action. DeSantis noted that if the Trump White House’s task force on this matter recommended this action, it would weigh heavily on him. The press asked President Trump about Gov. DeSantis during yesterday’s marathon presser about this outbreak. Maybe a call was made to the governor’s office, maybe not. Around 80 percent of the country was already under stay-at-home orders prior to this announcement. It was time. With spring breakers loading the beaches and spreading it to their communities, it’s a bit puzzling why this wasn’t enacted prior. The order will remain in effect for 30 days (via WFTV):
Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will be signing an executive order for people to stay-at-home due to the coronavirus.
The order will “limit movements and personal interactions outside the home,” DeSantis said.
Only essential services will be allowed to operate. DeSantis said a list of services will be released and some businesses can be added to the list if they are deemed essential.
The order will begin at midnight and last for the next 30 days.
NEW: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a statewide stay-at-home orderhttps://t.co/k5MhtcBIuA
— Axios (@axios) April 1, 2020
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, under pressure, abandons partial measures and issues statewide stay-at-home order.
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) April 1, 2020
Pressure has been building for @GovRonDeSantis to shutdown the state of Florida and now it's happening. The Governor says he's signing an order for people here to stay-at-home due to the President's 30-days. @WFTV
— Lauren Seabrook (@LSeabrookWFTV) April 1, 2020
NEW: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announces he will sign an executive order directing residents to "limit movements and personal interactions outside the home" to essential services or activities. https://t.co/Mwwde61NEp pic.twitter.com/aFcbviVlS3
— ABC News (@ABC) April 1, 2020
We’ll update as we go along, especially on what enforcement measures will be included.