MIAMI, United States - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a new plan on Sunday to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, making the state a national leader in virus management.
The plan outlines several new measures, including:
• Increasing testing and contact tracing throughout the state
• Limiting large indoor and outdoor events to 50% capacity
• Requiring long-term care facilities to reduce visitors and staff contact with residents
• Expanding the states vaccine program
• Developing a statewide containment strategy
DeSantis said the measures are aimed at creating an environment that encourages economic activity by keeping the virus in check.
We have to have robust testing, contact tracing and isolation measures in place so that we ensure that we dont have any large group infections that then could, quote, spillover into our community, he said.
The governor also announced a new program that will allow certain businesses to become COVID-19 Certified and receive special benefits. These businesses must meet certain criteria for sanitation and safety measures, such as providing employees with protective gear and adhering to social distancing protocols.
The governor emphasized that Florida remains committed to reopening safely and keeping citizens healthy.
Were going to continue to move Florida forward, and were going to do it in a way that is responsible and makes sure that our citizens are safe, he said.
The plan comes as Florida, the third largest state in the U.S., continues to face one of the worst Covid-19 outbreaks in the country.
The state reported more than 218,000 Covid-19 cases and over 4,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic. The governor has pledged to tout the states success in combating the virus as evidence of the effectiveness of his administrations efforts.
Im proud of the effort of all Floridians in doing the right thing and helping to keep the curve flat. But we have to stay vigilant and we have to continue to move forward, DeSantis said.
The measures proposed by DeSantis are the latest in a series of efforts the state has taken to tackle the virus. The governor has previously implemented a statewide stay-at-home order and pushed for more testing and contact tracing.
The plan is in stark contrast to the tactics of some other states, where leaders are pushing for widespread reopenings without taking significant measures to fight the virus. While some states are suffering from soaring case numbers, Florida has managed to keep its numbers relatively low, thanks largely to DeSantis disciplined approach to virus management.
The measures proposed by the governor are likely to face fierce opposition from a vocal minority, who argue that the restrictions imposed by the state are too restrictive. But if the plan succeeds, it could provide a model for other states looking to strike a balance between health concerns and economic needs.
