ORLANDO, Fla. — Read live updates:
11:45 p.m. update
Orange County to give free PPE to small businesses
Orange County leaders are giving free personal protective equipment to small businesses in the county.
To apply for the PPE, click here.
7:15 p.m. update
Residents who get tested for COVID-19 get free PPE at select testing locations in Orange County
Residents who participate in the free COVID-19 testing at Orange County Health Services sites at Riverside Elementary or Mid-Florida Tech they will receive free personal protective equipment for themselves and to share with loved ones for friends, officials said.
Here are the testing dates:
Riverside Elementary School - May 19-21
Mid-Florida Tech - May 26-28
6:44 p.m. update
Osceola County outlines plan to reopen vacation rental homes
Osceola County outlined its plan to reopen its vacation rental home industry after Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to the county’s request for relief.
The county hopes DeSantis approves the plan as soon as possible.
“Once the governor acknowledged his willingness to allow vacation rentals to reopen, Osceola County was quick to respond,” said Osceola County Chairwoman Viviana Janer. “This sector of our tourism industry is so important, and we believe helping reopen these businesses will boost the other parts of our local economy because so many benefit from tourism.”
4:25 p.m. update
Orange County Convention Center testing location closes due to inclement weather
Officials said the Orange County Convention Center testing location has closed due to inclement weather.
The @FLSERT #COVID19 Test Collection Site at @OCCC is closing for the day due to inclement weather.
— Florida Association of Public Information Officers (@FloridaPIOs) May 16, 2020
Florida reports more 47 coronavirus-related deaths, 673 new cases
2:40 p.m. update
Florida health officials reported 47 new coronavirus-related deaths and 673 new cases since Friday.
There are a total of 44,811 cases in Florida, with 1,964 deaths related to the virus, officials said.
INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in Florida
Some Disney-owned shops, restaurants to reopen at Disney Springs
12:45 p.m. update
Disney said it will reopen two of its stores and one of its restaurants at Disney Springs on May 27.
They include the World of Disney and Marketplace Co-Op stores and the D-Luxe Burger restaurant.
Only mobile ordering is available for now.
The company previously said several restaurants and shops owned by third parties would reopen Wednesday.
It said parking at Disney Springs will be limited and fewer entrances will be open.
Employees and visitors will have their temperatures screened prior to entering and face coverings are required, the company said.
Read: CityWalk reopens with limited operations, new guidelines: What you need to know before you go
Those waiting in line will have to practice social distancing, and there will also be barriers in place in some areas.
Some shops and restaurants will have reduced hours, and there will be no scheduled entertainment offerings or high-touch interactive areas, the company said.
Disney also said it has added hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer.
Read: Walt Disney World to begin accepting resort reservations in July
Click here to read more about the reopening.
Disney Springs at @WaltDisneyWorld Resort welcomes guests back beginning May 20th. Learn what you need to know about the phased reopening in this message from Disney Springs Vice President Matt Simon: https://t.co/EGwsB94L9O pic.twitter.com/PAH6ROJ2QQ
— Disney Parks News (@DisneyParksNews) May 16, 2020
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.
Free face masks in Orlando
12:15 a.m. update
Know of someone in need of a mask?
Free face masks are being handed out at Orlando's Engelwood Neighborhood Center until 1 p.m Saturday.
Read: How to prepare yourself for the job market once the pandemic is over
The address is 6123 La Costa Dr #2931 Orlando, FL 32807.
See video of the Mask The People event below:
See a map of the center below:
Charges dropped against pastor who defied stay-at-home order
9:15 a.m. update
Misdemeanor charges were dropped Friday against a Florida pastor accused of violating stay-at-home orders arising from the coronavirus pandemic.
Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren said in a statement that prosecution of Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne of the River at Tampa Bay Church would not proceed.
Read: Coronavirus: Charges dropped against Florida pastor who defied stay-at-home order
Warren said Howard-Browne has conducted operations responsibly since his arrest in March.
Mat Staver of the Liberty Counsel, which represents Howard-Browne, released a statement Friday calling the arrest “politically motivated.”
Read: Can coronavirus spread in a swimming pool?
Staver said the case should never have been brought.
Houses of worship are now exempt from state stay-home orders.
Air Force flyover in Tampa
7 a.m. update
A KC-135 Stratotanker from MacDill Air Force Base flew over the 12 major hospitals in the Tampa Bay area to honor health care workers in the coronavirus pandemic.
Air Force Col. Stephen Snelson said Friday’s flyover was a way to honor health care workers who are trying to protect the community during the coronavirus pandemic.
WATCH: Fighter jets fly over Orlando hospitals, testing sites to salute health care workers
The FAA determined the flight plan over 12 hospitals in the Tampa Bay region.
Similar flyovers have occurred around the state. Last Friday, the Blue Angels flew over South Florida and Jacksonville and earlier this week the Florida National Guard did a flyover of Orlando.
Click here to see photos and videos of Orlando’s flyover.
Read: Coronavirus: Judge orders Los Angeles to move thousands of homeless
Expanding reopening plan’s first phase
5:50 a.m. update
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expanding the state’s first phase of reopening by allowing gyms, museums and libraries to operate at 50% capacity.
He said during a press conference Friday that if people are healthier, they are more likely to survive the coronavirus.
Read: Gyms to reopen, restaurants to increase capacity to 50% Monday under ‘full phase 1’ reopening
The announcement lets restaurants and retail stores expand from operating at 25% to 50% capacity.
DeSantis also hinted that he’ll make an announcement soon on summer camps and other activities for children, saying they are at low risk if infected by the coronavirus.
Read: TIMELINE: Coronavirus - Friday, May 15
Florida began the first phase of reopening the state to nonessential businesses on May 4.
Click here to read a full recap of Friday’s coverage, and click here to watch live, in-depth coverage of the state’s reopening on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.
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.
Cox Media Group
