TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Industry leaders on the Re-Open Florida Task Force have been meeting multiple times this week to discuss how to go about allowing businesses to start accepting customers again and what a timeline for that could look like.
The group met for the first time Monday and has reconvened every day since then.
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Thus far, they’ve discussed how coronavirus closures have negatively impacted the economy, how to avoid potential lawsuits when theme parks and other recreational venues open and how hospitals are dealing with COVID-19 patients.
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The talks are scheduled to continue in the coming weeks as Florida approaches the end of its 30-day stay-at-home order, which is set to expire on April 30 unless Gov. Ron DeSantis issues an extension.
At this point it’s unclear if that will happen.
Each day, even before the meeting starts, the task force’s agenda is posted online along with the various presentations that will be discussed.
Anyone can access this information by going to FLGov.com/COVID-19 and clicking the relevant link.
Here are some interesting points from the slideshows presented thus far:
- Hospitals are losing between $6,000 to $8,000 for each patient treated for COVID-19, according to the Florida Department of Health.
- The Florida Police Chiefs Association said social distancing enforcement has already been a problem at public recreation areas such as beaches and the group believes there could be a surge of demand at locations that open while others remain closed.
- Data from the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association shows the state could experience estimated crop losses through mid-April upwards of $522.5 million.
- More than $2.1 billion in infrastructure projects have been accelerated as usually busy roads see less traffic, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
- Leaders from the Florida Technology Council recommend customer signage that reads, “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Mask, No Service” along with postings reminding employees to wash their hands, social distance and avoid touching their faces.
To see more, along with executive orders and other resources from the governor’s office, click here.
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