Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced at his Monday press converence that he had asked County staff to look into drafting an order that would fine businesses that don’t enforce COVID-19 safety protocols.

The move is in direct opposition to Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent extension on an earlier order that banned local COVID-related shutdowns and restrictions and “suspends the collection of fines and penalties associated with COVID-19 …” The extension was put in place before Thanksgiving and is meant to last as long as Florida remains under a state of emergency, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite, or in spite, of that order, Mayor Demings believes it’s still legal for municipalities to enforce restrictions under Home Rule laws and to fine repeat offenders – namely a select few Orlando nightclubs that Demings believes need to be penalized for putting people at risk.

Brendan O'Connor

Editor in Chief of Bungalower.com

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