Florida governor Ron DeSantis has ordered all restaurants to cease on-site dining and alcohol consumption. The order, announced Friday afternoon, is effective immediately.
Restaurants that choose to stay open may operate only as takeout and delivery businesses. DeSantis is allowing those restaurants to offer alcohol for pickup or delivery – that’s package sales only; you can’t order a negroni to go.
Previously, restaurants had been ordered to limit seating to half capacity, something that has not been difficult for most as much of the dining public has been following guidelines to stay home.
The ban will remain as long as the state of emergency that DeSantis declared earlier is in place.