COVID-19 cases are spiking in Florida, with thousands of new cases being reported daily in the state. In hopes of addressing the increase, and mitigating the community spread, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is suspending on premises consumption of alcohol at bars statewide.
Click Orlando reports that DBPR secretary Halsey Beshears said his officers would be going to bars, restaurants and similar establishments each night to check for obvious social distancing, capacity or hygiene violations.
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Here’s the full order from the DBPR:
Based on recent increases in COVID-19 cases and non-compliance with previous orders, DBPR has taken action to suspend on-premises alcohol sales at bars. DBPR believes this is a necessary step to take to protect public health as we continue working in partnership with industry and health officials to combat COVID-19.
As filed on June 26, 2020, DBPR Emergency Order 2020-09 suspends the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises for all vendors licensed for such sale who derive more than 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages. Notwithstanding this suspension of sales for on-premises consumption, these vendors may continue to sell alcoholic beverages in sealed containers for consumption off the premises in accordance with Executive Order 20-71, Sections 1 and 2. Licensed restaurants also may continue to operate for on-premises consumption of food and beverages at tables pursuant to the restrictions in Executive Order 20-139, so long as these vendors derive 50 percent or less of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.
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This follows the news that Florida recorded more than 8,000 new cases in a single day.
Please wear a mask, keep your social distance, and be good to one another out there, Florida.
At present, the only specifics about the order come from the tweet from the DBPR.
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