Governor’s Executive Orders and Impact on Business Operations

This past Monday, May 3^rd, Governor DeSantis signed two Executive Orders that impact local restrictions and mandates put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.   We have received a few questions from members concerning what impact the Executive Orders will have on their practice and institution.  

As summarized below, the two Executive Orders do not impede upon the ability of businesses and individuals to continue to follow the safety precautions for employees and customers that were operationalized during the pandemic.   Nor do they impact the recommendations from the CDC and OSHA requirements for preventing the spread of COVID-19.   Business owners, customers, and the General Public are free to continue to follow those precautions that they feel are best given their circumstances, operations and other authoritative guidance.

Below is the summary of the two Executive Orders:

Executive Order 21-101, effective July 1, mandates that “any emergency order issued by a political subdivision due to the COVID-19 emergency which restricts the rights or liberties of individuals or their businesses is invalidated.”

Executive Order 21-102 suspended “all local COVID-19 restrictions and mandates on individuals and businesses” and went into effect immediately.

https://www.flgov.com/2021-executive-orders/

CDC Guidance for Workplaces and Businesses:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/workplaces-businesses/index.html

US Department of Labor OSHA Guidance for Workplaces and Businesses:

https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus