TALLAHASSEE — In an April 1 press conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced an executive order “directing all Floridians to limit movements and personal interactions outside the home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or to conduct essential activities.”

“We’re going to be in this for another 30 days,” said the governor.

“Even though there’s a lot of places in Florida that have very low infection rates, it makes sense to make this move now,” he said.

The order, which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on April 3, will expire on April 30 unless extended.

The Executive Order states:
• Senior citizens and individuals with underlying medical conditions (such as chronic lung disease, moderate-to-severe asthma, serious heart conditions, immunocompromised status, cancer, diabetes, severe obesity, renal failure and liver disease) shall stay at home and take all measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

• All persons in Florida shall limit their movements and personal interactions outside the home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities. Essential services are defined as the list detailed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

• In addition, essential services may include the additions on the list 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.

• This order encourages individuals to work from home.

• All businesses and organizations are encouraged to provide delivery, carry-out or curbside service outside of the business or organization, of orders places online or via telephone.

• Essential activities, for the purpose of this order, include:

-- Attending religious services conducted in churches, synagogues and houses of worship;

-- Participating in recreational activities (consistent with social distancing guidelines) such as walking, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, running or swimming;
-- Taking care of pets; and,

-- Caring for or otherwise assisting a loved one or friend.

• A social gathering in a public place is NOT an essential activity. Local jurisdictions shall ensure that groups of people greater than ten are not permitted to congregate in any public space.