TIMELINE: Coronavirus - Friday, May 1

9:45 p.m. update

Thousands of Central Florida businesses are preparing to partially reopen by deep-cleaning and developing a safety plan for both customers and staff.

Orlando Health has launched a new website to help: orlandohealth.com/businessready.

The website provides tutorials for businesses on everything from proper hand-washing to face masks, and more.

Businesses with specific questions can email businessready@orlandohealth.com.

See the full story below:

Nota en español - Coronavirus en Florida Central, 1 mayo

6:30 p.m. update

State parks are opening, and antibody tests are coming to Florida.

It’s all part of Phase 1 to reopen Florida, which begins Monday and also includes restaurant and retail at a limitied capacity.

The announcement was not a surprise, since the governor has said people need to get out and enjoy Florida.

“I think it’s good for the people of Florida. I think it’s good for their peace of mind because people have been cooped up a lot,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

DeSantis said he wants to get all of the outdoor activities going again. He used a Department of Homeland Security study that says being outside is safer than being inside when it comes to transmission of COVID-19.

The second phase will include opening businesses such as gyms, casinos, salons and even theme parks.

A study by the South Orange Chamber of Commerce shows that of the 400 businesses in places like Edgewood, Belle Isle and parts of Orange County, 82.5% of businesses said they want to reopen.

DeSantis said Floridians want to work, and he’s slowly reopening the state to allow that.

Workers took to the road Friday morning to push for reopening. They’re asking for unemployment to be raised to $600 a week, and requesting that their rent and utility payments be waived, and that school kitchens be open to provide food.

They also said they want their jobs back when the state reopens and want PPE to keep them safe. It’s unclear when that will happen for hospitality workers, whose jobs will reopen during Phase 2.

Honeywell is donating 12 million masks to Florida, which shows PPE is coming in. DeSantis said the gear will be reserved for if there’s another outbreak.

See our full coverage below:

4:50 p.m. update

Orange County leaders said 77% of COVID-19 cases in the county have fully recovered. There are 325 people who have tested positive and can still spread the virus.

Leaders said restaurants must get a permit from their local government to serve outdoors.

Officials said the 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in Orange County will remain through next week and then county leaders will reassess.

Orange County mayor asks governor to reopen barber shops, hair salons, nail salons in county

4:27 p.m. update

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is sending a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis to request to open barber shops, hair salons and nail salons in the county.

Read the letter below:

Mall at Millennia to reopen May 11

4:26 p.m. update

The Mall at Millennia said it will be reopening May 11 with limited capacity.

It will offer item pickup for all stores on Monday.

4:15 p.m. update

Orange County task force may recommend hair salons, barber shops reopen

The Orange County task force is discussing ways to reopen hair salons and barber shops throughout the county.

The task force is set to recommend the businesses be allowed to open as early as next week.

Leaders are set to hold a meeting at 4:30 p.m. Channel 9 will live stream the meeting on its website and on air.

>>CLICK HERE TO WATCH<<

3:38 p.m. update

Orange County leaders to give update on COVID-19

Orange County leaders will be giving an update on COVID-19 at 4:30 p.m.

To tune in, click here or watch Ch. 9.

>>CLICK HERE TO WATCH<<

3:15 p.m. update

Brevard County reopens beachside parks, public parking

The Brevard County Board of County Commissioners, along with a policy group activated as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response, have rescinded beachside parking restrictions effective immediately.

County-controlled beachside parks and beachside public parking access areas will be reopened for most beaches.

Municipalities, including Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Melbourne Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialantic and Melbourne are expected to announce openings of beachside parking access at a later date.

Beachside parking access was closed March 18 in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. Removal of barricades put in place to block access to beachside parking areas will begin Friday, May 1. While beachside parking on county beaches will reopen, a beach renourishment project is underway in areas between Patrick Air Force Base south to Spessard Holland Park and will not be completed until Wednesday. It will reopen to beachgoers at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, May 7.

2:15 p.m. update

Gov. Ron DeSantis providing second COVID-19 update

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is providing an update on COVID-19 in Florida. Click here to watch LIVE.

Download the WFTV news app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on this developing story, or click here to have updates sent straight to your inbox.

11:30 a.m. update

Florida health officials report more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases, 46 deaths, including 3 in Central Florida

Florida health officials reported 1,038 new cases of COVID-19 as well as 46 additional deaths as of Friday morning.

Three of those deaths were in Central Florida, one each in Lake, Sumter and Polk counties.

The number of coronavirus cases in the state is now 34,728 with 1,314 deaths.

See the latest case numbers county by county below:

Orange: 1,413 (1,385 yesterday)

Seminole: 385 (379 yesterday)

Volusia: 500 (452 yesterday)

Brevard: 289 (285 yesterday)

Osceola: 486 (478 yesterday)

Lake: 233 (227 yesterday)

Sumter: 217 (181 yesterday)

Marion: 178 (175 yesterday)

Flagler: 134 (133 yesterday)

Polk: 500 (483 yesterday)

11:25 a.m. update

Florida state parks to reopen Monday, governor says

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday that state parks will reopen on Monday, as the state moves into phase one of its reopening plan.

Download the WFTV news app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on this developing story, or click here to have updates sent straight to your inbox.

10:45 a.m. update

Gov. Ron DeSantis to provide Florida COVID-19 update

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to provide an update on COVID-19 in Florida at 11 a.m. Friday, days after he announced plans to gradually reopen the state’s economy starting Monday.

Click here or watch Channel 9 at 11 a.m. to tune in live.

Download the WFTV news app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on this developing story, or click here to have updates sent straight to your inbox.

10:30 a.m. update

Whole Foods Market requesting customers wear masks inside stores

Amazon and Whole Foods Market announced this week that it is requesting customers to wear masks while in stores. Within the next week, Whole Foods Market will offer free, disposable masks to all customers when they arrive at stores to shop nationwide. If customers don’t already have their own face covering, they can pick up a mask at the entrance of the Whole Foods Market store.

9:28 a.m. update:

Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando to distribute free pet food

The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando will be distributing free pet food at two locations Friday morning to assist those in need amid the pandemic.

The distribution will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Orlando at 2727 Conroy Road or Sanford at 2800 County Home Road.

Up to 40 pounds of food will be given per vehicle.

8:14 a.m. update:

Seminole County first responders hold parade to thank others in COVID-19 battle

First responders in Seminole County joined together on Friday to thank other first responders with a “Heroes Thanking Heroes” parade.

Officials with the Seminole County Fire Department, Emergency Management, Sanford Police and Fire Departments, Lake Mary Police and Fire Departments, Altamonte Springs Police, Longwood Police and Fire Departments have coordinated the parade at several locations in the county.

Looking ahead: What Phase 2, 3 could look like when reopening

7:01 a.m. update:

Gov. DeSantis to hold COVID-19 briefing

Governor Ron DeSantis will hold a press conference regarding COVID-19 in Jacksonville at 11 a.m.

The governor will hold another press conference at 1 p.m. in Pensacola.

5:42 a.m. update:

Central Florida counties weigh-in on reopening plan

Some counties are implementing stricter guidelines for businesses than what Gov. DeSantis has in place.

Lake and Seminole counties plan to take a step further than the governor by requiring businesses to visually mark where people should stand for social distancing in checkout lines.

Seminole County will also require masks at businesses that can’t keep people six feet apart.

Orange County is keeping their overnight curfew, while Osceola County is doing away with it.

Read: Seminole County encouraging everyone to get tested for COVID-19, symptomatic or not

4:31 a.m. update:

Osceola County officials announce plan to follow phase 1 reopening

Osceola County is the latest county in Central Florida to announce that it will fall in line with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to reopen the state.

County officials announced they will repeal the current curfew in place on May 4, when the governor’s phase 1 plan will go into effect.

DeSantis said phase one means elective surgeries can resume, and restaurants can do outdoor seating with 6 feet between tables and 25% capacity indoors with 6-foot spacing.

INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in Florida

Osceola County officials will have a 3 p.m. press conference detailing further plans.

The briefing can be seen here.