STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-51 (Establishes 9 Response Protocol and Directs Public Health Emergency) WHEREAS, Coronavirus Disease 2019 is a severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among humans through respiratory transmission and presents with similar to those of in?uenza; and WHEREAS, in late 2019, a new and signi?cant outbreak of 9 emerged in China; and WHEREAS, the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern; and WHEREAS, in response to the recent 9 outbreak in China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has deemed it necessary to prohibit or restrict non-essential travel to or from those countries; and WHEREAS, in response to the recent 9 outbreak in Japan, the CDC has advised older travelers and those with chronic medical conditions to avoid nonessential travel and all travelers to exercise enhanced precautions; and WHEREAS, the CDC currently recommends community preparedness and everyday prevention measures be taken by all individuals and families in the United States, including voluntary home isolation when individuals are sick with respiratory covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue and disposal of the tissue immediately thereafter, washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers with 60%-95% alcohol if soap and water are not readily available and routinely cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects to increase community resilience and readiness for responding to an outbreak; and WHEREAS, two individuals in the State of Ftorida tested presumptively positive for inciuding a resident of Manatee County and a resident of Hillsborough County; and WHERE-AS, the CDC currently recommends mitigation measures in communities with cases, including staying at home when sick. keeping away from others who are sick and staying at home when a household member is sick with respiratory disease or if instructed to do so by public health of?cials or a health care provider; and WHEREAS, it is necessary and appropriate to take action to ensure that remains controlled and that residents and visitors in Florida remain safe and secure; NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article 1V, Section of the Florida Constitution and all other applicable laws promulgate the following Executive Order to take immediate effect: Section Because of the foregoing conditions, I direct the State I?iealth Of?cer and Surgeon Genera}, Dr. Scott to declare a public health emergency in the State of Florida, pursuant to his authority in section 381.00315, Florida Statutes. The State Health Officer is authorized and directed to use his judgment as to the duration of this public health emergency. . Section. 2. In accordance with section 381001169, Florida Statutes, 1 direct the State Health Officer to take any action necessary to protect the public health. Sejtjo 11; I direct the State Health Of?cer to follow the guidelines established by the CDC in establishing protocols to. control the spread ofCOVll'D?l 9 and educate the public on prevention. is.) Section 4. In accordance with section 381.001 Florida Statutes, I designate the Florida Department of Health as the lead state agency to coordinate emergency response activities among the various state agencies and local governments. The State Health Of?cer, or his designee, shall advise the Executive Of?ce of the Governor on the implementation of these emergency response activities. Section 5. All actions taken by the State Health Of?cer with respect to this emergency before the issuance of this Executive Order are rati?ed. Section 6. The Florida Department of Health will actively monitor, at a minimum, all persons meeting the de?nition of a Person Under Investigation as de?ned by the CDC for for a period of at least 14 days or until the PUI tests negative for Active monitoring by the Florida Department of Health will include at least the following: A. Risk assessment within 24 hours of learning an individual meets the criteria for a PUI. B. Twice-daily temperature checks. Section 7. The Florida Department of Health, pursuant to its authority in section 381.00315, Florida Statutes, will ensure that all individuals meeting the de?nition of a PUI are isolated or quarantined for a period of 14 days or until the person tests negative for COVID- 19. Section 8. I hereby direct the Florida Department of Health to make its own determinations as to quarantine, isolation and other necessary public health interventions as permitted under Florida law. Section 9. I direct all agencies under the direction of the Governor to fully cooperate with the Florida Department of Health, and any representative thereof in furtherance of this Order. Agencies not under the direction of the Governor are requested to provide such assistance as is required. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I haVe hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida. to be af?xed, at Tallahassee, this day of March, 2020. - {pk . (3:335 .- Urll?. 0N DESANTIS, GOVERNOR ATTEST: go 0.)