Gov. DeSantis has announced changes to the stay-at-home restrictions as part of a phased approach to reopening a “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step, Plan for Florida’s Recovery”, starting Monday, May 4.

Here’s what Phase 1 involves:

  • Schools remain distance learning
  • Visits to senior living facilities prohibited
  • Elective surgeries can resume
  • Restaurants can offer outdoor seating with six feet between tables, indoor seating can be at 25% capacity
  • Retail can operate at 25% of indoor capacity
  • No change for bars, gyms and personal services like hair salons
  • Vulnerable individuals should avoid close contact with people outside home
  • All individuals should maximize physical distance from others
  • Avoid socializing in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that you can’t physically distance
  • Face masks recommended for all those in face-to-face interactions and where you can’t social distance

DeSantis is not setting a date for the second phase. Instead, he’s taking a wait-and-see approach to how the state fares during the first phase.