Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared he will keep restaurants open amid the pandemic and slammed New York for suspending indoor dining as shocking photos show the state's bars packed with maskless people drinking and dancing.
On Tuesday the governor defended restaurants during a press conference inside Okeechobee Steakhouse in West Palm Beach, the oldest steakhouse in the state.
'At a time when folks in our service industries, particularly in restaurants, lodging, and hospitality, have taken it on the chin, particularly in some other states that have been completely shut down, we just want to send the message — some may shut you down. We want to pull you up,' DeSantis said, throwing a jab at New York.
Florida's restaurants, bars and nightclubs were allowed to reopen at full capacity in late September despite the threat of the virus.
Shocking photos from this week show crowds of maskless young people drinking, packed lines, and revelers ignoring social distancing protocols at bars and clubs.
On Tuesday Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared he will keep restaurants open amid the pandemic and slammed states like New York for suspending indoor dining despite surging coronavirus cases in the state
What pandemic? A crowded scene is pictured between the kitchen and bar of The Office in Delray Beach late Saturday evening
Dancing the night away! Patrons pictured maskless and dancing closely with each other at Capones on December 10 in Fort Lauderdale
Long wait times: A view of a packed line to get into the Tin Roof bar in Delray Beach pictured Saturday evening
Florida’s approach to handling the pandemic has differed starkly from New York, which shut down indoor dining on Monday due to a surge in COVID-19 infections.
DeSantis said most new COVID-19 cases stem from gatherings at home and he cited a recent New York government report that found 1.4 percent of new coronavirus cases were traced back to restaurants and bars.
'We have to understand that the vast, vast majority of infections are occurring in people’s homes, particularly if you have people getting together, so closing a restaurant for indoor dining is going to lead to more people doing that in private homes anyway,' DeSantis said.
'Even if you think that it’s more than just 1.4 percent, the appropriate response is to inform people about situations where you may have a higher risk. Not to shut down. Let individuals make decisions about what they’re comfortable doing,' he added.
On Tuesday the governor defended keeping restaurants open in a press conference at Okeechobee Steakhouse in West Palm Beach, the oldest steakhouse in the state
DeSantis said he met with the Okeechobee Steakhosue staffers and some spoke on the importance of keeping their doors open during the pandemic. Server Theresa Hodgdon above
An external view of Okeechobee Steakhouse, the oldest steakhouse in the state, above
'We’ve got your back if you’re somebody who’s a waitress, or a cook, or you’re a family-owned business – you’re an important part of our state,' DeSantis said.
'You’re working folks who are working hard to make a living. You have every right to do that. You’re going to have that right defended by the governor,' he added.
Restaurant server Theresa Hodgdon, a single mother of two, shed tears at the press conference and thanked the governor for allowing the steakhouse to stay open.
The governor also noted that about 40 states have a higher number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations per capita than Florida.
As of Wednesday Florida has recorded more than 1,155,335 coronavirus cases and more than 20,200 resident deaths.
Getting out of control: Partiers fight outside Budda Garden in Delray Beach late Saturday
No social distancing: Crowds of people pictured close together without masks at Capones on December 10 in Fort Lauderdale
Patrons pictured packed close together at Capones on December 10
Florida has seen steadily rising COVID-19 cases since mid-October, a few weeks after the governor announced the state was in Phase 3 of reopening which allowed restaurants and bars to operate at full capacity at the end of September
Florida has seen steadily rising COVID-19 cases since mid-October, a few weeks the governor announced the state was in Phase 3 of reopening which allowed restaurants and bars to operate at full capacity in late September.
Now the state is reporting an average of more than 9,000 cases a day. On Tuesday the state reported a positivity rate of 9.28 percent.
This week video footage of a DJ set and dance party at McSorley’s Peach Pub in Fort Lauderdale emerged showing dozens of people packed close together, many of them seen without masks dancing.
As of Wednesday Florida has recorded more than 1,155,335 coronavirus cases and more than 20,200 resident deaths. A group of partiers at McSorley's Beach Pub in Fort Lauderdale above
Dancing the night away: A view of the packed Hollywood Live Night Club in Hollywood, Florida this week above
Concert goers danced the night away without wearing masks and ignoring social distancing at Rock n Angels bar and club in Boca Raton on November 22
Some night clubs and bars have had packed long lines to get in and have seen patrons dancing in close quarters together and hanging out in groups without masks.
On Wednesday residents at the John Knox Village in Pompano Beach were among the first long-term care facility residents in the country to receive the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
Nationally more than 16million coronavirus cases have been reported since the start of the pandemic and more than 306,000 people have died.
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