ORLANDO, Fla. — See our complete in-depth coverage below:
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Nota en español - Coronavirus en Florida Central
6:45 p.m. update
Reopen Florida Task Force gives glimpse into what Phase 2 could look like
While the state gears up for reopening in Phase 1, the Reopen Florida Task Force gave some insight into the next phase, and what that could include.
Phase 2 will include nonessential travel, plans for people to return to work and allow casinos, gyms, hair salons, movie theaters and bowling alleys to go to 75% capacity.
Bars could also reopen with 50% capacity, and restaurants could open at 75% capacity.
And all must follow safety and social distancing guidelines.
Here is the task force plan. who and what could be included in phase 2 and 3. #wftvhttps://t.co/Fa2QYZH6Ib
— Shannon Butler (@SButlerWFTV) April 30, 2020
As for the theme parks such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, they can also consider reopening with capacity limits with strict social distancing in place, and proper measurements to disinfect.
As for Airbnb, the Task Force wants restrictions in that second phase that would only allow host to rent to people from Florida and not international travelers for fear of bringing the coronavirus to the state.
With a lot less time than they originally thought, nearly 50 people who make up Orange County’s Economic Task Force are working around the clock to provide clear guidelines and mandates for local businesses to open Monday.
Mayor Jerry Demings said he hopes the Task Force will have those finalized by Friday.
“We will have to digest their recommendations and then do something that is sensible for our residents here in Orange County," he said.
As the state order stands, Orange County leaders can implement stricter guidelines than what the governor laid out, but they can’t make anything more lenient.
The Task Force is split up into four work groups: One to create the guidelines that will either be recommended or required to reopen business, and another called “Business Readiness” that will look at what items are needed, such as masks and hand sanitizer, and figure out how to get them.
Another group is called bringing back tourism and the fourth is focused on business compliance and consumer confidence.
“All of the task force members are really wrestling with the issues that no one what no one has ever had to face before in this community. 24 There’s no road map," Demings said.
Demings said for people to feel comfortable coming into a business next week, they need to know sanitary measures are in place.
“I want to see whether or not the employees are wearing masks or other people coming in are wearing masks," he said.
At The Taproom, employees have had to go without pay for 30 days.
The owner, Steve Gunter, said he will have his staff not only wear face masks and have sanitizer ready at the tables, but he and his managers will be the policing to make sure customers are following the rules.
Click here to read what Phase 1 will look like when it begins Monday.
5:15 p.m. update
Volusia County beaches to reopen for all activities Saturday
Volusia County leaders announced beaches will reopen Saturday with some restrictions.
Ormond Beach Mayor Ed Kelley said beaches will reopen Saturday with social distancing guidelines in place. Groups must be in groups of six or fewer and stay six feet apart.
Reporter Mike Springer is in Volusia County, pressing for more details. Watch updates live on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.
.@VoteEdKelley says beaches will reopen Saturday with social distancing guidelines in place of groups of 6 or less and 10 feet apart #breaking
— Mike Springer WFTV (@mspringerwftv) April 30, 2020
2:28 p.m. update
Orlando Health hospitals add additional safety measures for patients undergoing procedures or giving birth
Orlando Health hospitals will be adding additional safety measures for patients undergoing procedures or giving birth.
The hospital said all patients who are scheduled to undergo medical procedures and women who are in labor at Orlando Health hospitals are being tested for COVID-19.
Orlando Health said it encourages wearing a mask and social distancing guidelines will continue for patients, visitors and all care teams.
Everyone who enters an Orlando Health hospital will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 and have their temperature checked, the hospital said
“These steps are part of the ‘new’ normal,” said Sunil Desai, MD, president, Orlando Health Medical Group. “We don’t know how long the virus will be with us, but these measures are designed to help ensure the safety of patients, visitors and care teams.”
2 p.m. update
Universal CEO says team members will undergo temperature checks
In a letter to team members, the CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts, Tom Williams, said team members will undergo temperature checks very soon.
He also wrote that the company will encourage team members to wear face coverings and some will be required to wear one.
11:40 a.m. update
Orange County businesses allowed to reopen Monday, per Gov. DeSantis’ plan
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said businesses in Orange County that are allowed to open under phase one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ reopening plan will be allowed to do so.
He said the county is awaiting additional guidance from its reopening task force on additional requirements that may be needed going forward.
READ: Governor says phase 1 of reopening can begin May 4: What that means for Central Florida
JUST IN: @OCFLMayor says the businesses allowed by @GovRonDeSantis to open Monday can plan to open in the County. Says his task force is still meeting daily about other additional requirements they might ask of those businesses to open. #COVID19 #coronavirus #WFTV #reopenFL
— Megan Cruz (@MeganWFTV) April 30, 2020
11 a.m. update
Florida health officials report 50 COVID-19 deaths overnight, including 4 in Central Florida
Florida health officials reported 50 COVID-19 deaths overnight including four in Central Florida.
Those deaths were reported in Orange, Volusia, Lake and Polk counties.
Officials reported 497 more cases of the virus as well in the state.
See a full county by county breakdown of the latest case number below:
NEW CASES:
Orange: 1,385 (1,371 yesterday)
Seminole: 379 (373 yesterday)
Volusia: 452 (448 yesterday)
Brevard: 285 (270 yesterday)
Osceola: 478 (479 yesterday)
Sumter: 181 (176 yesterday)
Marion: 175 (165 yesterday)
Polk: 483 (468 yesterday)
NO CHANGE:
Lake: 227
Flagler: 133
10:30 a.m. update:
Orange County officials to provide update on reopening the county
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer are scheduled to host a news conference at 11 a.m. Thursday to discuss plans for reopening the county after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced phase one of his plans for the state Wednesday evening.
Read the details of DeSantis’ plan here. And click here to watch the news conference in full beginning at 11 a.m.
8:45 a.m. update:
Volusia County leaders to hold COVID-19 update
Volusia County officials will hold a briefing to update residents on the coronavirus pandemic.
The briefing can be seen here at 2 p.m.
7:31 a.m. update:
Central Florida leaders to hold virtual unemployment town hall
Central Florida legislators, policy experts and grassroots organizations will hold a virtual town hall with local residents to discuss the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on the unemployment system.
Participants will be able to have questions answered regarding the effects of COVID-19 on the community and resource information.
The town hall meeting can be found here at 6 p.m.
6:05 a.m. update:
Central Florida YMCA locations to distribute food to those in need
The YMCA of Central Florida will host a free food distribution at several locations for families in need amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a release, 200 packages of food will be provided, in addition to other household supplies, on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Oviedo YMCA, Dr. P Phillips YMCA and Wayne Densch YMCA.
Distribution of the food will take place from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
4:24 a.m. update:
Storms force rescheduling of COVID-19 site
Health officials have pushed back the opening for a COVID-19 mobile testing site that was initially slated to open in Barnett Park on Thursday due to inclement weather.
The site will now open at the park on Saturday.
INTERACTIVE MAP: Coronavirus cases in Florida
All appointments scheduled for Barnett Park on Thursday will still be honored on Saturday.
Testing at Jay Blanchard Park will continue as planned on Friday.
Click here for appointment information.
The mobile testing will not happen next week due to the county wanting to restock supplies and disinfect equipment.
© 2020 Cox Media Group
