PORT CHARTLOTTE, Fla. – Publix reopened its online vaccine appointment portal at 7 a.m. Monday, but nearly all the slots were booked less than 90 minutes later, the grocer said. The expansion came after Publix began receiving additional vaccine doses through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. In addition to Publix pharmacies, Winn-Dixie, Walmart and Sam’s Club stores are also offering vaccine appointments in Central Florida. A portion of the Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs’ website is now dedicated to assisting those veterans with access to the vaccine. The state estimates there are about 30,000 WWII veterans and 100,000 Korean War veterans living in Florida, DeSantis said.

ORLANDO – For gym owner Damien Priester at House of Sweat Orlando, no doubt things have been tough the past few weeks while his place was shut down to stop the spread of COVID-19. “I’m married, I have two kids and it was a strain and it was rough trying to get through and stay motivated,” he said. Now, he’s like many gym owners all across Florida in that he’s allowed to reopen first thing Monday morning. It’s good news for owner Clover Brown at Oley’s kitchen in Orlando. “We were at a deficit.”But despite the increased capacity, Brown told me she’s a bit uneasy still with too many customers dining in.