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Florida’s “Stay-at-Home” Order and What it Means for Businesses

Client Alert
April 3, 2020

On April 1, 2020, in response to the State’s ongoing efforts to fight the spread of COVID-19, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-91, which is a State-wide “Stay-at-Home” Order. The Order goes into effect Friday, April 3, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., and expires on April 30, 2020, unless extended by subsequent order (the full text of the Order is available here). 

What does the Stay-at-Home Order actually say?

The Stay-at-Home Order provides, in relevant part, that:

  • Senior citizens and individuals with significant underlying medical conditions shall stay at home, and take all measures necessary to limit their exposure to COVID-19; and
  • 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.

What are considered Essential Services? 

As of now, the Order defines "essential services" to include:

  • The services detailed in the Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce, v. 2 (March 28, 2020), issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (full text of DHS’s guidance available here); and
  • The services designated as “essential” by Executive Order 20-89, which incorporates a detailed list promulgated by the Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 07-20, as amended (full text of Executive Order 20-89 available here).

The Governor has directed the State Coordinating Officer (“SCO”) to publish an exhaustive list of all qualifying “essential services” that will be available on the Division of Emergency Management’s website at www.floridadisaster.org and the Florida Department of Health’s website at www.floridahealth.gov. 

As of April 2, 2020, the SCO’s list has not been published.However, generally speaking, the categories of private-sector industries that are deemed “essential” under EO 20-91 include, but are not limited to: (i) Heath Care; (ii) Transportation and Logistics; (iii) Energy; (iv) Food and Agriculture; (v) Communications and Information Technology; (vii) Manufacturing; and (viii) Commercial Facilities.

What if it is unclear if my business is providing an “essential service”?

The guidance and regulations are continuing to be updated daily, and our team at BMD is closely monitoring this ever-evolving situation. Therefore, if you are not sure whether your business is considered “essential,” or if you have any other questions regarding the Stay-at-Home Order or any other COVID-19 related questions, please contact Matt Jackson, Josh La Bouef or Cody Westmoreland in our Jacksonville office at 904.366.1500, as we are standing by ready to help you and your business navigate the challenges we are all facing.

FloridaGovernor Ron DeSantisExecutive OrderStay at Home OrdercoronavirusCOVID-19
Multimedia, Client Alert

Nationwide Ban on Non-Compete Agreements: Requirements and Texas Court Decision Explained

September 4, 2024Watch this Employment Law After Hours video to find out about the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) groundbreaking Final Rule that bans non-compete agreements nationwide. This video also explores the recent decision by the Northern District of Texas to enjoin and delay the implementation and enforcement of the Final Rule banning non-compete agreements nationwide.Client Alert

Parental Approval Mandate for Diagnosing Gender-Related Conditions in Minors under Ohio House Bill 68

September 4, 2024Ohio House Bill 68, effective August 6, 2024, introduces strict guidelines for mental health professionals diagnosing and treating minors with gender-related conditions. The law mandates parental or guardian consent before any diagnosis or treatment can proceed. Additionally, professionals must first screen for other comorbidities and assess for any history of abuse. Failure to adhere to these requirements can result in disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct.Client Alert, Multimedia

Navigate the Latest Employment Law Changes with Confidence

August 13, 2024BMD Partner and Co-Chair of the Employment & Labor Law Group, Bryan Meek, presented this webinar on trending HR topics. Topics include the new Fair Labor Standards Act changes for exempt employees and Federal Trade Commission's nationwide ban on non-competes. Discover how these groundbreaking changes will impact organizations nationwide and what they need to do to ensure compliance.Client Alert

Planning for Wealth: Lessons from Athletes, Entertainers, and Executives

August 1, 2024The financial challenges and strategies used by high-income earners like Donovan Mitchell, Taylor Swift, and Jamie Dimon are not just for the wealthy—they can apply to anyone managing significant assets. This article delves into essential wealth management techniques, from leveraging tax exemptions to navigating major liquidity events, providing valuable insights to help you achieve financial stability and preserve your wealth.Client Alert

The Ohio Department of Medicaid Amends Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Rules

July 29, 2024Ohio Department of Medicaid has updated definitions of fraud, waste, and abuse as well as given specificity and clarity to the list of examples.
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