Dozens of mask-less Florida residents have been spotted enjoying eased lockdown measures at reopened restaurants, where they ignored guida...
Dozens of mask-less Florida residents have been spotted enjoying eased lockdown measures at reopened restaurants, where they ignored guidance to keep their face covered and to maintain six feet of distance between other patrons.
Gov. Ron DeSantis allowed restaurants to offer outdoor seating with six feet of space between tables and indoor seating at 25 percent capacity on Monday.
On Wednesday locals were seen packed in outdoor restaurant patios to enjoy the sunshine and al fresco dining, but not many restaurants maintained a distance of six feet between groups.
In downtown Stuart, Florida dozens of patrons were seen eating outside of Sailor's Return restaurant on Wednesday mere inches away from other customers.
Mask-less patrons flocked to Florida restaurants to enjoy the sunshine on Wednesday, however most were seen violating orders to maintain a distance of six feet in between tables. Customers at Sailor's Return restaurant in downtown Stuart above
Gov. Ron DeSantis allowed restaurants to offer outdoor seating with six-feet of space between tables and indoor seating at 25 percent capacity on Monday. However many restaurants failed to maintain a distance of six feet between patrons as pictured above at Sailor's Return in downtown Stuart, Florida on Wednesday
Smiles in the sunshine state: Customers appeared to beam with joy to be back at their favorite restaurants however patrons were seen not wearing masks and seated close to other groups
Customers at Spritz in downtown Stuart packed into the outdoor patio, sitting close to other tables while not wearing protective equipment on Wednesday amid the coronavirus pandemic
Returning to normal life: Patrons at Spritz in downtown Stuart didn't seem worried at all about the virus. All of the customers were seen without masks and most were sitting less than six feet away from other customers
Overall Florida has over 38,000 cases of COVID-19 and over 1,500 deaths reported. However, Gov. Ron DeSantis has accelerated measures to reopen the state
Florida has started to resume life as normal with certain businesses throughout much of the state opening their doors, except in the counties of Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach , which have the greatest number of COVID-19 cases.
While Gov. DeSantis has only advised all Floridians wear masks in public, counties like Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade have mandated all residents cover faces in supermarkets and businesses. Other cities such as Hollywood, Cooper City, Miramar, Miami, Boca Raton, and Delray Beach already have mask orders in place.
Over all the sunshine state has over 38,000 cases of the deadly virus and over 1,500 fatalities.
Churches remain on 'voluntary social distancing' orders and movie theaters are still closed.
Florida has come under fire for opening some beaches despite the threat of COVID-19 continuing the spread.
However, Gov. DeSantis is siding with these counties and defending the move to reopen beaches.
'My hat's off to the people of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida for doing a great job,' DeSantis said. 'And for those who try to say you're morons, I would take you over the folks who are criticizing you any day of the week and twice on Sunday.'
Back in business: Patrons pictured eating outside a pizza restaurant in Fort Myers, Florida on Monday, the same day Gov. DeSantis allowed restaurants to open with full outdoor seating
Patrons at Mom's Pizza in South Beach Miami sat close to each other but were armed with masks on Tuesday
Brigitte Staples serves Crescent Wigfall (left) and Lily Garrecht (right) as they sit at the Spritz City Bistro, as the state of Florida enters phase one of the plan to reopen the state on Monday in Stuart, Florida
Can't stop us now: Hundreds of Floridians have flocked to Clearwater Beach after Governor Ron DeSantis opened the beaches at 7am on Monday
Out and about: The streets of Fort Myers, Florida were bustling with life on Monday, the same day Gov. DeSantis started to allow restaurants to reopen and retail stores to operate at 25 percent capacity
Beware: Florida Attorney Daniel Uhlfelder, dressed as the Grim Reaper, talks with reporters after walking the newly-opened beach near Destin, Florida on Friday to warn beachgoers that coronavirus continues to threaten the state
Michelle Davis helps a shopper, wearing a protective mask, at the Island Cotton Company store, as the state of Florida enters phase one of the plan to reopen the state on Monday where retailers are allowed to open at 25 percent capacity
In some parts of Miami frustration is reaching a boiling point between defiant residents and staffers trying to enforce coronavirus safety measures.
Park Rangers in Miami Beach shut down South Pointe Park on Monday due to an overwhelming amount of people ignoring face-mask requirements. Rangers reported they were confronted 'rudeness' from park goers.
On Sunday night an unidentified man was caught on body camera footage launching a foul-mouthed rant outside a Publix grocery store in Miami Beach when a Code Enforcement Officer denied him entry because he wasn't wearing a mask.
A sign posted on the front door of the store said: 'If you are not wearing something covering your face you cannot enter the supermarket.'
On top of that, a Miami Beach emergency order also requires people to wear face coverings in public spaces to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
'You are in violation of my f***ing constitutional rights and civil rights,' the man screamed after he was denied entrance because he did not have a mask.
On Sunday night an unidentified man was caught on body camera footage launching a foul-mouthed rant outside a Publix grocery store in Miami Beach when a Code Enforcement Officer denied him entry because he wasn't wearing a mask
'You are in violation of my f***ing constitutional rights and civil rights,' the man said after he was denied entrance because he did not have a mask.
A shopper wearing a mask pictured leaving the Public grocery store as the man continues his rant
'F*** you mother***er, there’s no pandemic. I’m filing a mother***ing lawsuit. I have the right to buy groceries without being forced to participate in your f***ing terrorism,' the man shouted.
Other officers arrived to the scene but the man walked away and was not arrested.
City Manager Jimmy Morales shared the video with the City Commission and mayor on Tuesday 'as an example of what employees occasionally face out there from folks who have no desire to socially distance or wear masks,' according to the Miami Herald.
'Four-letter words, heated comments and city staff being mocked were common this past week in South Pointe Park. While the Publix incident was one of the most adverse encounters with a member from our Code staff, several Park Rangers have recounted many less than cordial exchanges when asking members of the public to wear a face covering at a public park or adhere to social distancing,' he added.
Hernan Cardeno, the Director of Miami Beach Code Enforcement, released a statement defending the mask policy.
'Our inspections for facial coverings and social distancing aren’t always welcomed, but we are doing this for the greater good. I’m proud to lead a team of Code Compliance professionals who are on the frontlines every day in our community simply trying to ensure the public complies with the safety measures in place during this global pandemic,' he said.
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