Agenda Item Name:
Title
COVID-19 Emergency Order
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Presenter:
Alachua County Attorney's Office
Description:
Discussion of Alachua County Emergency Orders follow Governor's Order 20-244
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Potential non-exclusive options for the Board:
* Do not substantively amend order and continue to issue citations to individuals understanding that collection of fines is currently suspended.
* Amend order to hold businesses liable for their customers wearing masks and social distancing.
* Amend order to permit enforcement of social distancing requirements against patrons waiting in line on public property.
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Prior Board Motions:
Numerous
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
Cost of enforcement
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Background:
On September 25, 2020, Governor DeSantis entered Executive Order 20-244, attached, which:
* Took Florida into "Phase 3" of reopening;
* Supersedes and eliminated many state restrictions on businesses, in previous executive orders;
* Declared the "No COVID-19 emergency ordinance may prevent an individual from working or from operating a businesses." and called this statement a preemption;
* Permitted restaurants (defined as any establishment with a food service license) to operate at 100% capacity and limited local governments' authority to mandate a lower % capacity; and
* Suspended collection of fines and penalties against individuals.
At this time, Alachua County has two orders which may be impacted by EO 20-244: Alachua County EO 20-44 and EO 20-30 (3rd Amendment), both attached.
Alachua County EO 20-44 (RESTAURANTS AND BARS) was issued by the Board Chair on September 11 and ratified by the Board as a whole on September 22. This Order requires restaurants and bars to follow Governor's Order 20-139, Section 4(A), which, in pertinent part, permitted the operation of restaurants and bars at no more than 50% occupancy with social distancing, and only permits seated service. This Order is largely, i...
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