ORLANDO, Fla. — Pharmacies and grocery stores are open, but many other stores closed April 3, when the governor’s safer-at-home order took effect. However, it expires on Thursday.
Orange County’s Taks Force on Reopening will meet for the second time on Tuesday. Mayor Jerry Demings outlined three things he’d like to focus on this week: Getting the community ready for businesses to open, getting the county read for public buildings to reopen and more testing.
Watch our full in-depth coverage below:
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Read live updates below:
Reopening Florida’s economy
6:45 p.m. update
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that the state will reopen from the coronavirus economic shutdown in “baby steps” and that its regions could reopen at different times and rates.
The governor said Monday that for most people, the reopening’s first phase will not be much different than what they are experiencing now with schools and nonessential businesses closed and people being encouraged to stay home.
He is expected to begin laying out his plans this week as he reviews recommendations from a task force he appointed that looked at reopening various aspects of the economy
President Donald Trump held a news conference Monday evening about reopening the economy. Watch it below:
Presidents speaks on reopening economy
5:40 p.m. update
President Donald Trump is speaking live about reopening the nation’s economy and new guidance on testing.
Click here to watch the live news conference, which is also being aired on Channel 9.
>>> CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE NEWS CONFERENCE <<<
Orange County opens 2 more mobile testing sites
4:55 p.m. update
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the county will open two more mobile testing sites.
The COVID-19 testing sites will be located at the following two locations:
South Orange Youth Sports Complex
11800 S. Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32824
Ventura Elementary School
4400 Woodgate Boulevard Orlando, FL 32822
Read: Coronavirus: Where COVID-19 testing is available in Central Florida
The sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Each site will offer 150 tests per day. Those interested in being tested must be at least 18.
Click here to schedule an appointment. Those who speak Spanish or Haitian Creole may call 311 to book an appointment.
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DeSantis gives update on pandemic
1:35 p.m. update
Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a news conference in Tampa on Monday that Florida is starting to see “a light at the end of the tunnel.”
He said decisions on reopening the state will be data-driven, “slow and steady” and methodical.
Read: Stimulus checks: IRS updates tool to help track payments
“This is uncharted territory,” DeSantis said.
Watch the full news conference below:
DeSantis gives update on coronavirus in Florida
12 p.m. update
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is giving a live update from Tampa General Hospital about COVID-19 in the state.
Click here or download the free WFTV news app to watch it live once it begins.
Read: One way we don’t have to worry about getting COVID-19: mosquitoes, health officials say
Download the WFTV news app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News at Noon for live updates on this developing story, or click here to have updates sent straight to your inbox.
1 new death in Volusia County
11 a.m. update
The Florida Department of Health reported 14 coronavirus-related deaths and 610 new cases statewide since Sunday.
Volusia County reported one new death overnight, bringing the county’s death toll to 18.
Read: Stimulus checks: IRS updates tool to help track payments
Officials said the total number of cases in Florida has reached 32,138 and the death toll now stands at 1,088.
Of the positive cases, 31,290 Florida residents and 848 involve nonresidents.
Read: Coronavirus: Where COVID-19 testing is available in Central Florida
Officials said 5,010 people have been hospitalized.
Marion County has reported no new cases since Sunday.
INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in Florida
Click here to see a map of positive cases in Florida, and see a county-by-county breakdown of cases below:
• Orange: 1,339 (1,322 Sunday)
• Osceola: 470 (463 Sunday)
• Polk: 441 (410 Sunday)
• Volusia: 440 (434 Sunday)
• Seminole: 367 (357 Sunday)
• Brevard: 266 (252 Sunday)
• Lake: 223 (222 Sunday)
• Sumter: 173 (171 Sunday)
• Marion: 151 (no change since Sunday)
• Flagler: 127 (121 Sunday)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will give a live update about COVID-19 in the state at 11:30 a.m.
Bookmark this link or download the free WFTV news app to watch it live once it begins.
Download the WFTV news app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News at Noon for live updates on this developing story, or click here to have updates sent straight to your inbox.
Residents continue to experience issues with unemployment site
9:03 a.m. update
Florida residents have continued to report issues while attempting to access Florida’s unemployment website.
The site was down for the weekend for processing and was scheduled to be running again at 8 a.m.
Seminole County health officials to provide county update
8:29 a.m. update
Seminole County health officials will hold a press conference in Sanford to update residents on the coronavirus.
The officials are expected to speak at 2 p.m.
Volunteers to support senior citizens by packing peanut butter
7:13 a.m. update
The Salvation Army of Orlando will be teaming up with the Osceola Council on Aging to pack 2,500 containers of peanut butter to help support senior citizens in need amid the outbreak.
Volunteers will meet at 700 Generation Point in Kissimmee at 8:30 a.m.
Read: Additional COVID-19 mobile testing sites to open around Orange County
Orlando City Council meeting to be held virtually amid pandemic
5:52 a.m. update
Orlando officials will hold a virtual City Council meeting at 2 p.m.
Residents can view the meeting here.
Florida unemployment website to reopen
4:25 a.m. update
Florida residents seeking relief from the coronavirus pandemic will once again set their sights on the unemployment website in hopes of aid Monday morning.
The site was shut down over the weekend to speed up processing claims.
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The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s CONNECT website has had several delays since the COVID-19 outbreak.
In 2013, Florida spent $77 million on the CONNECT website, the state recently signed contracts to spend another $119 million to bolster and fix the service.
The site is set to open at 8 a.m.
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.
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