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The Columbia County Sheriff's Office issued a statement Thursday on Executive Order 20-91, issued Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office issued a statement Thursday on Executive Order 20-91, issued Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The statement in its entirety follows:
Our community has a lot of questions about Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-91 (Essential Services and Activities During COVID-19 Emergency) or as some have called it a stay at home order and how it will affect us.
As a county we are complying with the majority of the directives listed in the Order to stop COVID 19. In addition, the order is now placing additional emphasis on our seniors and those that are more at risk to contract the virus. The Order does not require any travel passes or vouchers to move around the county while conducting essential business or listed activities in the information provided below. Law enforcement will continue to seek voluntary compliance however, if required, will take appropriate action to ensure public safety. We ask that you continue to be vigilant in your social distancing practices and limit your travel as much as possible.
Going by the published statistics for Florida and the nation it is likely we have not reached the peak for this virus which may occur within the next 2 weeks. By following the guidelines provided from the Order we stand a better chance of lowering our exposure to this virus. With your help and cooperation we will overcome this.
The Order states:
“Senior citizens and individuals with a significant underlying medical condition (such as chronic lung disease, moderate-to-severe asthma, serious heart conditions, immunocompromised status, cancer, diabetes, severe obesity, renal failure and liver disease) shall stay at home and take all measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.”
It further provides that “all persons in Florida shall limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.”
Essential Activities are described in the order as “Attending religious services conducted in churches, synagogues and houses of worship; participating in recreational activities ( consistent with social distancing guidelines) such as walking, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, running, or swimming; taking care of pets; and caring for or otherwise assisting a loved one or friend.
Essential services include those businesses and activities designated by Executive Order 20-89 and its attachment. Listed below:
All non-essential retail and commercial establishments are ordered closed.
Essential retail and commercial businesses, which may remain open, are:
a. Healthcare providers, including, but not limited to, hospitals, doctors' and dentists' offices, urgent care centers, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, physical therapists, mental health professionals, psychiatrists, therapists, and pharmacies;
b. Grocery stores, farmers' markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food
banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This authorization includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operations of residences;
c. Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing;
d. Businesses that provide food, shelter, social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;
e. Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services;
f. Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities;
g. Banks and related financial institutions;
h. Hardware stores;
i. Contractors and other tradesmen, appliance repair personnel, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other structures;
j. Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;
k. Private colleges, trade schools, and technical colleges, but only as needed to facilitate online or distance learning;
l. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers;
m. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but subject to the limitations and requirements of Emergency Order 3-20. Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and takeaway basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site;
n. Businesses that supply office products needed for people to work from home;
o. Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies
necessary to operate, and which do not interact with the general public;
p. Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods, or services directly to residences;
q. Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services via automobile, truck, bus, or train;
r. Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children;
s. Assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and adult day care centers, and senior residential facilities;
t. Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities;
u. Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care services;
v. Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this Order to work as permitted. To the extent possible, childcare facilities should operate under the following mandatory conditions:
1. Childcare must be carried out in stable groups of 10 or fewer (inclusive of childcare providers for the group).
2. Children and child care providers shall not change from one group to another.
3. If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group shall be in a separate room. Groups shall not mix or interact with each other.
w. Businesses operating at any airport, seaport, or other government facility, including parks and government offices;
x. Pet supply stores;
y. Logistics providers, including warehouses, trucking, consolidators, fumigators, and handlers;
z. Telecommunications providers, including sales of computer or telecommunications devices and the provision of home telecommunications;
aa. Provision of propane or natural gas;
bb. Office space and administrative support necessary to perform any of the above listed activities;
cc. Open construction sites, irrespective of the type of building;
dd. Architectural, engineering, or land surveying services;
ee. Factories, manufacturing facilities, bottling plants, or other industrial uses;
ff. Waste management services, including collection and disposal of waste; and
gg. Any business that is interacting with customers solely through electronic or telephonic means, and delivering products via mailing, shipping, or delivery services