Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order invalidating local emergency orders and COVID-19 restrictions. He signed a bill Monday morning that goes into effect July 1, but also signed an executive order to bridge the gap from now until then.
Ron DeSantis declares Florida is open for business
“It not only reigns in the ability of local governments to do this stuff. It provides more check against the state which I fully support,” said Governor DeSantis.
DeSantis cited the efficacy of vaccines and the number of elderly Floridians that have been vaccinated thus far. He said telling people they still had to wear masks and follow other COVID-19 restrictions even after being vaccinated undermined public confidence in the vaccines.
He emphasized his endorsement of getting vaccinated against COVID-19, but expressed his displeasure with the government keeping restrictions and issuing fines to businesses now that the vaccine is readily available.
“The evidence tells us that we are over a year into this. People can act with normal order but emergency orders, these extraordinary measures at this point are not justifiable,” said Governor DeSantis.
WATCH: Gov. DeSantis to sign an executive order to suspend now and eventually invalidate BY July 1 all local emergency orders related to COVID-19. https://t.co/tk4z3qgmQh pic.twitter.com/1ary7SeTAT
— WPEC CBS12 News (@CBS12) May 3, 2021
Florida governor leading the way by lifting all restrictions
The governor slammed states whose governments have imposed stricter COVID-19 restrictions that have lasted longer and said Florida will lead the way back to normalcy. Private businesses, of course, can still require masks upon entry and enforce social distancing and other protective measures.
“Right now it means nothing. We will continue what we’re doing and I think the customers and our staff, until we feel safer otherwise, and that people will support us if we do as we do open up and we just don’t know when,” said Veronica Danko, the owner of The Independent Bar & Cafe.
The business has required staff wear masks and customers wear masks inside the building throughout much of the pandemic, part of a group of restaurants and music venues that established a ‘safe and sound’ group. The bill also cements the emergency order that banned vaccine passports.
Ron DeSantis is looking like a strong contender for a presidential run in 2024. He’s like a more polished version of Trump. What do you think?
Tucker Carlson Asking Governor Ron DeSantis What His Priorities Would Be If He Was President Right Now
Governor DeSantis lists Securing the Border, Banning Sanctuary Cities, and implementing E-Verify.
"We've got to get this immigration situation under control." pic.twitter.com/buY56b1Nju
— The Columbia Bugle ?? (@ColumbiaBugle) April 20, 2021
