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Looking ahead: 9 things happening this week in Central Florida

Reopening Central Florida Reopening Central Florida (WFTV)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Things are starting to reopen across Central Florida, including beaches, state parks and restaurants.

With a new week upon us, here are nine things to look forward to this week:

1. Hair salons, barber shops, nail salons reopen Monday

Starting Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said barbershops and hair and nail salons can open with “enhanced safety protocols.”

Click here to learn what businesses can do.

Read: Hair salons, barber shops, nail salons reopening in Florida: Here’s what businesses can do

2. Orange County providing PPE to small businesses

Orange County is offering small businesses free personal protective equipment.

The county is providing equipment kits for up to 20,000 small businesses to assist in reopening and sustaining business operations.

To learn more, click here.

3. AP testing starts Monday

On Monday, testing begins for Central Florida high school students who are in advanced placement classes.

The AP exams testing period will run from Monday through May 22 with about 2.4 million students in the United States taking the exams at home.

Click here to see the schedule.

For more information, click here.

4. Mall at Millenia reopening

The Mall at Millenia will reopen Monday morning, operating at 25% indoor capacity.

Restaurants will offer indoor seating at that same capacity as well as outdoor seating with tables spaced six feet apart.

Officials said there will be improved housekeeping protocols and new safety guidelines for employees to follow.

The mall will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

5. Altamonte Mall reopening

The Altamonte Mall is reopening Tuesday and will operate at 25% indoor capacity.

To learn which stores will be open, click here.

6. Orange County offering expanded COVID-19 testing for some ZIP codes

Orange County leaders are offering expanded testing for some ZIP codes.

Residents in 32822, 32825 and 32792 can get tested at the following locations with an appointment:

  • Legacy Middle School - Monday through Tuesday.
  • Lakemont Elementary School - Monday through Thursday.
  • Venture Elementary School.

For more information, see below:

For more information about COVID-19 testing, click here.

Read: Restaurants, retailers reopen around Central Florida amid pandemic

7. Antibody testing underway

Antibody tests are available in Orange, Volusia and Brevard counties.

In Orange County, antibody tests are available at the Orange County Convention Center for first responders and health care workers.

In Volusia County, the tests are available at the Volusia County fairgrounds. Click here to learn more.

Omni Healthcare has been offering antibody tests that it independently validated for almost three weeks. After testing close to 3,000 people, only 3% have tested positive for the antibodies, according to doctors.

8. Ocala career center to reopen

CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion said it will begin reopening its career centers Monday to focus on the most immediate needs of those laid off due to COVID-19.

The centers will be open by appointment only from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.

To learn more, click here.

9. United Launch Alliance to launch USSF-7 Saturday

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is scheduled to launch Saturday. The launch will mark the sixth flight of the X-37B orbital test vehicle.

The launch time has not been announced.


Katlyn Brieskorn, WFTV.com

Katlyn Brieskorn is a Digital Assignment Editor at WFTV. She joined Channel 9 in July 2019.

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