Florida bars that only sell alcohol will be able to reopen on Monday according to a new executive order from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Only pubs and breweries that serve food have been allowed to operate in the state since June.
The bars will only be able to operate at fifty percent and can only serve seated patrons indoors and those who are appropriately socially distanced outdoors.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said a significant number of new coronavirus cases hadn’t been linked to pubs and breweries and keeping them closed was only hurting business.
“Obviously, we saw some outbreaks linked to bars in Florida, but my sense is is that that behavior would probably have been happening in private residences if it wasn’t there.”
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Only bars that can show compliance with the state’s phase 2 reopening plans will be allowed to reopen on Monday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis says the move will help workers in the state, especially first-time workers who rely on these jobs for a living or to pay their way through college.
“My goal is every Floridian should be able to go to work. Every business should be able to operate. We’re 98 percent there in terms of what we've done in Florida.”
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DeSantis says the alcohol “to-go” policy will remain in effect through the end of the statewide emergency order.
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