STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-70
(Emergency Management- COVID-19- Broward and Palm Beach County Closures)

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-51 directing the Florida
Department of Health to issue a Public Health Emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer
declared a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a state of
emergency for the entire State of Florida as a result of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, President Donald J. Trump and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention ("CDC") issued the "15 Days to Slow the Spread" guidance advising
individuals to adopt far-reaching social distancing measures, such as avoiding gatherings of more
than 10 people, and in states with evidence of community spread, bars, restaurants, food courts,
and gyms should be closed; and

WHEREAS, my Administration has consulted with Broward County and Palm Beach
County authorities, both of which requested application of the CDC recommendations; and

WHEREAS, COVID-19 poses a health risk to Broward County and Palm Beach County
residents and minimization of contact is necessary to avoid COVID-19 infection for the residents
of the counties; and

WHEREAS, restaurants, bars, taverns, pubs, night clubs, banquet halls, cocktail lounges,
cabarets, breweries, cafeterias, movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling
alleys, arcades, gymnasiums, fitness studios and beaches are potential gathering places for the
spread of COVID-19; and

 WHEREAS, Broward County and Palm Beach County seek to harmonize with MiamiDade County which has already restricted access to venues and closed its beaches to public access
due to the risk of community spread; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary and appropriate to take action to ensure that COVID-19
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 IV, Section (l)(a) of the Florida Constitution, Chapter 252,
Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order to take
immediate effect:
Section 1.

I hereby order all restaurants, bars, taverns, pubs, night clubs, banquet halls,

cocktail lounges, cabarets, breweries, cafeterias and any other alcohol and/or food service business
establishment with seating for more than ten (I 0) people within the incorporated and
unincorporated areas of Broward County and Palm Beach County to close on-premises service of
customers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such establishments may operate their kitchens for the
purpose-of providing delivery services, as authorized in Section 3 below, and employees,janitorial
personnel, contractors and delivery personnel shall be allowed access to such establishments.
Section 2.

This order shall not apply to grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations and

convenience stores, except that those discrete portions of such establishments that provide alcohol
and/or food service with seating for more than ten ( 10) people shall abide by the restrictions in
Section I.
Section 3.

This order shall not apply to delivery services, pick-up or take out services

provided by any of the establishments listed in Sections I or 2.

 Section 4.

This order shall not apply to restaurants that are ancillary to essential

services, including the airports, port facilities , secure facilities and hospitals. Other essential
services may be determined by the county administrators.
Section 5.

All movie theatres, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling

alleys, arcades, gymnasiums, fitness studios and beaches shall close. This order shall not apply to
gymnasiums or fitness centers which are: (i) amenities of hotels which have a capacity of 10
persons or less, (ii) are an amenity of a residential building, (iii) are interior to any fire or police
stations or (iv) are located inside any single-occupant office building.
Section 6.

The closures in this order shall remain in effect in accordance with the

President's "15 Days to Slow the Spread", initiated on March 16, 2020. These closures shall expire
on March 31, 2020, but may be renewed upon the written request of the County Administrator.
Section 7.

The Broward County Administrator and the Palm Beach County

Administrator shall have the ability to enforce, relax, modify or remove these closures, as
warranted, pursuant to the directives and parameters as set forth in Executive Order 20-68.
Section 8. ·

The provisions of this order shall serve as minimum standards.

Municipalities may impose more stringent standards within their jurisdictions.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the
State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, this
20th day
arch, 2020

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