Demings on executive orders: “Our county attorneys are exploring our legal options”

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued executive orders Monday that suspended all local coronavirus emergency orders, and some Central Florida leaders are considering their next move.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings told Channel 9 on Tuesday that he will speak with other county leaders about options moving forward.

Read: ‘We expect better’: Orange County mayor responds to governor’s decision to suspend local coronavirus emergency orders

County officials were planning to gradually roll back measures like social distancing and face mask covering requirements, but DeSantis’ new executive orders preempted their plan.

Demings called the governor’s move “political” and told Channel 9 that county attorneys are exploring legal options for now.

Read: DeSantis suspends all local coronavirus emergency orders effective immediately

“I live in this community,” he said. “This is where I was born and raised. I know ... what is best for this community -- better than, perhaps, those who may live and work in Tallahassee.”

Demings and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer both said they are very disappointed in the governor’s move and hope people will continue to wear masks even without a mandate.

READ: Here’s where you may still be required to wear a face mask in Florida

“300 to 400 every day still testing positive, and we have several each week that continue to die,” Demings said. “So we have to remain focused on protecting the lives of the people here within our community.”

Dyer said it’s now residents responsibility to continue to wear their masks and get vaccinated to help protect the community.

Read: Orange County sees decrease in daily COVID-19 deaths since vaccinations started

“It’s incumbent upon everybody here in Central Florida if we really want to get back to normal and bring tourists back, we have to do the things that keep our community safe,” Dyer said.

The mayors say without the steps local governments have taken to protect the public, many more people would’ve died.

Face masks in Florida Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he has suspended all local government emergency orders related to COVID-19 effective immediately, but that doesn't mean all mask requirements are gone. (WFTV Staff)

Face masks in Florida Private businesses are still able to require face masks in Florida. (WFTV Staff)

Face masks in Florida Walt Disney World said they are maintaining their current COVID-19 safety policies at this time. (WFTV Staff)

Face masks in Florida The Florida Department of Education said in a statement that DeSantis' executive order does not apply to schools. (WFTV Staff)

Face masks in Florida The Orlando International Airport is subject to a federal mask requirement, so people catching a flight still are required to wear masks at the airport and on planes. (WFTV Staff)

While the state’s executive orders stop local governments from implementing COVID-19 precautions, they do not apply to businesses.

Hotels, theme parks and restaurants can still require visitors to wear a face covering or remain socially distanced.

Read: Florida COVID-19 death toll tops 36,000 as governor blocks local mask mandates

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