100+ Florida entities under review for ‘vaccination passport’ violations

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – More than 100 Florida entities, including businesses, municipalities and event venues, are under review with the Department of Health. Even Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is on the list.

“Based upon the input that we received from qualified medical experts, as well as legal experts, our directives, comply with the law,” said Demings at a news conference Monday. “So that is our position (and) has been our position all along and we’ll just have to see what happens.”

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Mayor Demings said he hasn’t received any correspondence from the state health department regarding an investigation into potential vaccine passport violations. The measure Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law bans businesses, government agencies and educational institutions from requiring proof of vaccination status from customers, visitors or students.

“If we receive information that we will be fined, given the directives that we have put in place here, we will end up in litigation over it,” Mayor Demings said.

The Florida Department of Health sent News 6 a list of more than 100 entities under review, including AdventHealth.

When News 6 reached out to AdventHealth for comment, they said they didn’t even know they were under investigation. The state’s Department of Health didn’t immediately tell us why AdventHealth was under review, but the vaccine documentation law states “it does not apply to health care providers.”

That’s the response we got from several Orange County businesses and event venues who are also on the list, including major Orlando venue, the Amway Center.

“What we’re doing at the Amway Center is being guided by the artist that is renting the Amway Center for the evening,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

The venue was under fire in the investigation, specifically for the Harry Styles concert held last weekend when visitors were required to show a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination.

“The one we were cited for, I guess Harry Styles, was asking for either a negative COVID test or a vaccination and that is consistent with the governor’s direction related to the legislation that was passed,” Mayor Dyer said.

The Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center is on the list and responded with the following statement:

“We are unaware of an official investigation and have not received communication from the state or any government entity. The health and safety policy at the Dr. Phillips Center complies with local and state laws to the best of our knowledge. We require guests 12 years of age and older to provide documentation of a recent negative COVID-19 test for indoor events. As an alternative, guests can show proof of their full vaccination status, but showing their vaccination status is not required. We put these policies in place to help create the safest environment for our guests, artists, students and colleagues, as we work to resume normal operations with the return of touring shows and other major events.”

The Orlando Lowndes Shakespeare Center also said it hasn’t received any correspondence about an investigation from the FDOH.

“We’ve had other artists that simply won’t perform here in Florida because they want to perform for a 100 percent vaccinated audience, so it’s hurting the economic development in Florida,” Mayor Dyer continued.

Fines for “vaccination passports” are set at $5,000 per violation, according to the state law.

Florida’s Department of Health said just because the entities are listed, doesn’t mean they are in violation. They have not said yet when those entities will be notified or when fines will start being collected.

The Florida Department of Health sent News 6 the following statement:

“Under the rule, the Florida Department of Health now has the authority to enforce penalties on applicable entities and institutions that require documentation of vaccination or post-exposure status. If you believe you are aware of a violation, you may submit a complaint and the Department will review, assess and investigate as warranted. Applicable entities that are found to be in violation will be fined.”

To ensure accountability and enforcement of this law, Floridians and visitors can submit complaints to the Florida Department of Health at VaxPassFreeFL@FLHealth.gov.

This law prohibits the following entities from requiring documentation of COVID-19 vaccination or post-infection recovery:

“A business may not require patrons or customers to provide any documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or post-infection recovery to gain access to, entry upon, or service from the business operations.

A government may not require persons to provide any documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or post-infection recovery to gain access to, entry upon, or service from the government operations.

An educational institution may not require students or residents to provide any documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or post-infection recovery for attendance or enrollment, or to gain access to, entry upon, or service from such educational institution.”

We are able to identify the following entities under review with DOH at present: