Governor Ron DeSantis issued an Executive Order (amended) (the "Order") instructing the state of Florida to "take a pause" for 30 days and stay home amid the coronavirus pandemic. The statewide Order will go into effect at 12:01 Friday, April 3. In the interest of preserving public health and safety, all Florida "non-essential retail and commercial businesses" to temporarily close and all residents "should only leave their home to conduct certain 'essential activities.'" 

 

Non-essential retail and commercial businesses temporarily ordered to close include, but are not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, water parks, pools, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, children's play centers, playgrounds, theme parks, bowling alleys, pool halls, movie and other theaters, concert and music halls, country clubs, social clubs, and fraternal organizations.

Essential businesses may remain open. The Order identifies 41 categories of business as crucial, with primary categories listed below:

 

Individuals are ordered to stay at home otherwise to conduct certain necessary activities while practicing social distancing. Essential activities mean the following;

 

This is a challenging time for businesses in Florida and across the country. Lippes Mathias attorneys and staff are fully operational and working with the same level of communication, security and availability as they would in the office. For our clients, there will be no noticeable difference in access to our attorneys and staff. Given the complex and nuanced changes and questions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain ready, willing, and able to assist.

 

For more information and updates on the developing COVID-19 situation, visit Lippes Mathias’ COVID-19 Resource Center