WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

WHETHER MARTIN & THE VILLAGE OF INDIANTOWN BACK IT UP IS ANOTHER THING

IT IS TIME FOR IN PERSON MEETINGS. WE NEED TO AGAIN BE ABLE TO CROWD THE CHAMBERS IN MASS TO SHOW OPPOSITION AND SUPPORT.

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis announced Friday afternoon that Florida will move to “Phase 3” of its reopening plan, lifting all restrictions on bars and restaurants blocking them from operating at full capacity. The order also prevents local governments from enforcing social distancing requirements like wearing masks in public.

“We are today moving into what we initially called phase 3,” DeSantis said during a press conference on Florida. “And what that’ll mean for the restaurants is there will not be limitations from the state of Florida.”

“We’re also saying in the state of Florida everybody has a right to work,” he added. “(Local governments) can do reasonable regulations but they can’t just say no.”

The news is already horrifying public health experts who insist that the US is on the cusp of an especially brutal fall resurgence, as the virus couples with the seasonal flu.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, there are 4 main provisions to the order :

• “It removes all remaining state-level restrictions on businesses, including on bars and restaurants, which were capped at 75% capacity in Phase 3 of DeSantis’ original reopening plan.”
• It provides a general right to work and to operate a business. Local governments can limit and regulate businesses, but won’t be able to close businesses because of coronavirus concerns.
• “Local governments won’t be able to prevent restaurants from operating at above 50% capacity. Under previous orders, local governments could go further than state-level restrictions, and counties in South Florida kept restaurants and bars closed after the state allowed them to reopen. Also, cities and counties won’t be able to impose any restrictions without an economic and health justification.”
• “Cities and counties can’t collect on any outstanding fines they issued as part of their pandemic response. The order, though, doesn’t compel local governments to refund anyone who has already paid a fine.”