FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 1, 2020
COVID-19 UPDATE #68
BROWARD COUNTY ISSUES EMERGENCY ORDER 20-27
DAVIE, Fla – Broward County has issued Emergency Order 20-27, which clarifies requirements for establishments that serve food and/or alcohol. The order is effective on October 2, 2020, at 12 a.m. Residents are urged to maintain their vigilance, even as Broward County embraces Phase 3 of reopening, as mandated by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ Executive Order 20-244, issued on September 25, 2020.
Included in the Governor’s Phase 3 reopening is the reopening of bars, night clubs, and other businesses that until September 25, 2020, were closed under Broward’s Emergency Orders.
While the Governor’s Order temporarily suspends the collection of individual fines for violations of Emergency Orders, including the wearing of facial coverings in public, residents are still urged to follow the guidelines issued by health officials.
Emergency Order 20-27:
- On-premise consumption of food and alcohol must end at 11 p.m.
- Establishments licensed to serve food may operate at up to 100% of indoor capacity if a distance of six feet is maintained between tables, and no more than six people sit at a table. Should an establishment not be able to meet the minimum 50% capacity requirement (as set forth by the Governor's Executive Order), an establishment may, to reach the 50% capacity level, allow patrons to stand at an assigned table or in an assigned area, and must comply with social distancing requirements to the maximum extent possible.
- Establishments that only serve alcohol (that are not licensed to serve food) must operate at no more than 50% of the establishment’s indoor capacity.
- Total combined occupancy of indoor and outdoor areas shall not exceed the existing total maximum occupancy.
- Allows individuals at fitness centers and gyms to remove facial coverings while working out, but requires they be worn by individuals at all times when not engaged in physical activity, such as while moving between machines and around the establishment.
- Permits hot tubs to open in homeowner association (HOA) communities, but operations are subject to more stringent rules that may be imposed by the HOA.
A comprehensive new Emergency Order from Broward County will be issued in the near future, which will realign guidelines and restrictions for various businesses with the Governor’s latest Executive Order.
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Leona Henry, Intergovernmental Affairs Manager
Office: 954-797-1035
Email: [email protected]
Sussette Rodriguez, Public Relations Coordinator
Office: 954-797-1102
Email: [email protected]
