User:GalaxyBits/covidfl

On February 29, 2020, State laboratories in Tampa, Jacksonville and Miami gained the ability to process COVID-19 tests.

On March 2nd, AARP warned Florida nursing homes to prepare and provide adequate supplies of protective wear.

On March 2nd, the Florida Department of Health issued guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19.

On March 2nd, the University of Central Florida asked students and employees to use caution when traveling for spring break.

On March 3rd, the Florida Department of Health set up a COVID-19 hotline that people can now call 24/7.

On March 8th Publix started to limit the amount of certain items per customer because some shoppers began to hoard items like toilet paper and other essential items.

On March 9th, the Florida House members announce that 5 members attended a conference with infected COVID-19 participants and Governor Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency.

On March 10th, Central Florida schools cancel field trips that use air travel.

On March 11th, Governor DeSantis placed limits on who can visit nursing homes. That same day the CDC awarded Florida $27 million to help quell the pandemic.

On March 13th, Universal Orlando Resort and Disney World announced that their theme parks would stay close starting on March 15th.

On March 14th, the Holy Land Experience and Central Florida Zoo announced that they would temporarily close.

On March 17th, University of Central Florida announced that it would be canceling graduation, two days later one of their students tested positive for COVID-19. Also on March 17th, Governor DeSantis orders bars and nightclubs to close for 30 days, gyms announce that they would be closing and the first medical group offered drive through COVID-19 testing in Central Florida.

The first congress member, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, tested positive on evening of March 18th.

On March 20th Governor DeSantis ordered that restaurants use take-out and delivery only to prevent guests from eating at restaurants.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced on March 22nd that they would be closing all state parks to the public.

On March 23rd, Governor DeSantis orders that anyone that is flying from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut needs to self-isolate and monitor themselves for 14 days. That day he also requested a Major Disaster Declaration to President Trump and it was approved on March 25th.

On March 25th, Governor DeSantis issued a stay at home order for Miami-Dade county.

Usually the Florida law does not allow retired state personnel to return to work until six months after their retirement. On March 30th, Governor DeSantis allowed the retired healthcare and front line workers to come back to work and he signed an Executive Order for Miami-Dade County, Broward County and Palm Beach County residents to stay at home. That same day, the Department of Education announces that schools will not be able to resume in person classes until at least May 1st.

After learning that some patients were leaving isolation and going out in public, the Seminole County required those who were diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay at home until medically cleared.

On April 17th, Governor DeSantis allows some Florida beaches to reopen if done safely but the next day it was announced that schools would remain closed for the remainder of the semester. On April 20th, The Florida Department of Economic Opportunities released a dashboard showing that 1.5 million unemployment claims were made during the last month.

On April 21st, Flagler County announced that its beaches would reopen for exercising and fishing- but not socializing and the sunbathing restriction was lifted on Brevard County.

On May 18th, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County entered Phase One of reopening.

On May 22nd, it was voted by the Miami Beach City Commission that in June 2020, Miami-Dade hotels and beaches will reopen and they hope for it to be June 1st.

On May 27th, Ocean Drive on Miami Beach was closed off to allow restaurants to expand their seating. People ate along the sidewalks and in the closed off streets to maximize the restaurant capacities.