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Documenting Florida's path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

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Florida coronavirus coverage
Debate in Florida
Florida government responses
School reopenings in Florida
State government responses
Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans
Debate over responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Elections • Religious service restrictions • School closures • State lockdowns • Debates by state
Related coronavirus coverage
Changes to elections • Federal responses • State responses
Reopening plans by state


Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Florida's reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

August 2021

  • August 3: On Friday, July 30, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an order prohibiting K-12 public schools from requiring that students wear masks in schools.

July 2021

  • July 27: On Friday, July 23, the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed its July 17 ruling that allowed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to enforce its coronavirus restrictions on cruise lines in Florida. For cruise ships to set sail, the CDC required they mandate that 95% of passengers and 98% of crews be fully vaccinated. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) sued the CDC in April 2021, arguing the agency overstepped its authority when it issued its four-phase plan for reopening the cruise industry. Florida Senate Bill 2006, which DeSantis signed into law on May 3, prohibits businesses from requiring proof of vaccination. On June 18, U.S. District Court Judge Steven Merryday granted Florida a preliminary injunction against the restrictions. The Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit overturned that injunction on July 17.
  • July 20: On Saturday, July 17, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit overturned a lower court order that blocked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) restrictions on the cruise industry. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) sued the CDC in April 2021, arguing the agency overstepped its authority when it issued its four-phase plan for reopening the cruise industry. U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday granted Florida a preliminary injunctionagainst the restrictions on June 18.

June 2021

  • June 28:
    • The state stopped participating in pandemic-related federal unemployment benefit programs June 26. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) made the announcement May 24.
    • On Saturday, June 26, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) allowed the statewide COVID-19 emergency to expire. DeSantis first declared the state of emergency on March 10, 2020.
  • June 17: On Wednesday, June 16, the state Clemency Board pardoned all residents who were arrested or fined for violating COVID-19 restrictions around the state. The Board is composed of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), Attorney General Ashley Moody (R), Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis (R), and Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Nikki Fried (D). Fried was the only member of the Board to oppose pardoning COVID-19 restriction violators.

May 2021

  • May 24: On Monday, May 24, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced the state would stop participating in federal pandemic unemployment programs on June 26.
  • May 3: On Monday, May 3, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed Senate Bill 2006, which limits local emergency orders unrelated to hurricanes or other weather events to a maximum of 42 days and bans businesses, schools, and government agencies from requiring people to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations. The bill takes effect July 1. DeSantis also issued an executive order immediately invalidating all local COVID-19 orders.

April 2021

  • April 30: On Thursday, April 29, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 2006, which would prohibit businesses, schools, and government agencies from requiring people to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an order banning those organizations from requiring proof of vaccination on April 2, but Senate Bill 2006 would make that ban permanent. Senate Bill 2006 would also limit local emergency orders unrelated to hurricanes or other weather events to a maximum of 42 days. Currently, local emergencies can be extended indefinitely in seven-day increments. The Florida House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 2006 78-36, while the Senate passed it 23-15. It now goes to DeSantis.
  • April 28: On Tuesday, April 27, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) extended the statewide coronavirus emergency an additional 60 days.
  • April 5: On Friday, April 2, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an order banning government entities from issuing vaccine passports. The order also prohibits businesses from requiring vaccine passports.

March 2021

  • March 30: On Monday, March 29, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill that gives businesses, governments, and healthcare providers limited liability protection against COVID-19 lawsuits. The law is retroactive to the beginning of the pandemic and requires plaintiffs to show that an organization purposely ignored COVID-19 guidelines.
  • March 29: Effective March 29, people 40 and older are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.
  • March 25: On Thursday, March 24, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that people 40 and older will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine Monday, March 29. Eligibility will expand to include everyone 18 and older on April 5.
  • March 22: People 50 and older are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine starting March 22.
  • March 15: People 60 and older became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine March 15.
  • March 11: On Wednesday, March 10, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) banned counties and municipalities from fining people or businesses for violating COVID-19 restrictions. The order also rebates any fines imposed on people or businesses for violations retroactive to March 2020.
  • March 9: On Monday, March 8, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that people 60 and older will become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine March 15.
  • March 2: On Monday, March 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an order allowing law enforcement officers, firefighters, and K-12 teachers and staff aged 50 and older to receive coronavirus vaccines.
  • March 1: On Friday, Feb. 26, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an order allowing doctors, pharmacies, and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to vaccinate people under 65 with medical conditions that make them “extremely vulnerable” to COVID-19.

February 2021

  • February 26: On Thursday, Feb. 25, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced the opening of six vaccine sites in Broward, Duval, Leon, Miami-Dade, and Osceola counties. The sites opened that day to frontline healthcare workers and people aged 65 and older.
  • February 24: On Tuesday, Feb. 23, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that CVS Health will offer vaccines at 81 pharmacy locations in 13 counties beginning later this week. The pharmacies include CVS Pharmacy, CVS Pharmacy y más, and Navarro Discount Pharmacy.
  • February 22: On Friday, Feb. 19, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that four federally supported COVID-19 vaccination sites will open in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville on March 3. Each site will operate seven days a week and administer 2,000 vaccines per day.
  • February 18: On Thursday, Feb. 18, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced the opening of a vaccination site in Pinellas Park. DeSantis said the Moderna vaccine would be used at the site.
  • February 12: On Thursday, Feb. 11, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced veterans of World War II and the Korean War are now eligible for vaccinations through the state's program for homebound seniors. Under the program, healthcare workers make house calls to seniors who cannot leave their homes.
  • February 5: On Thursday, Jan Feb. 4, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced a new interfaith vaccine campaign that will include synagogues and Islamic centers. The state has previously held vaccine clinics at churches around the state.

January 2021

  • January 22: On Thursday, Jan. 21, Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees released a health advisory aimed at preventing non-residents from accessing Florida’s supply of vaccines. To receive the first dose of a vaccine, residents must show healthcare providers a copy of their Florida driver’s license or identification card. Seasonal residents are eligible to receive the vaccine if they can provide proof they reside at least part of the year in the state.
  • January 19: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced individuals age 65 and older will be able to receive vaccinations at 67 Publix pharmacies in Palm Beach County, two Publix pharmacies in Monroe County, and seven Publix pharmacies in Martin County. Registration will open Jan. 20, and appointments will start Jan. 21.
  • January 11: On Sunday, Jan. 10, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced the state had opened seven new vaccine distribution centers in partnership with local churches and worship centers.

December 2020

  • December 3: On Dec. 2, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that nursing home residents would be the first to receive a coronavirus vaccine, followed by healthcare workers and people over 65. DeSantis also said he would not mandate residents get vaccinated.
  • December 2: On Tuesday, Dec. 2, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced the U.S. Department of Labor had awarded the state a $28 million Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker grant to support Floridians impacted by the pandemic.

November 2020

  • November 30: On Wednesday, Nov. 25, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) extended an order preventing local governments from passing COVID-19 restrictions that could put people out of work or close down businesses. The order was originally issued on Sept. 25.

October 2020

  • October 23: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) ordered nursing homes and assisted living facilities to allow children to visit residents indoors. His order also allows outdoor visits regardless of a facility’s case count, as long as visitors and residents social distance and wear masks. DeSantis said residents would also be allowed to leave facilities for overnight visits with family.
  • October 5: Pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade students in the Miami-Dade Public School district returned to classrooms Monday, Oct. 5. Students in higher grades will return to classrooms on Wednesday and Friday. The Miami-Dade Public School district is the largest district in Florida and the fourth largest in the country.
  • October 1: On Oct. 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) allowed a statewide moratorium on evictions to expire.

September 2020

  • September 25: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced on Sept. 25 that Florida would enter Phase 3 of reopening effective immediately, allowing bars and restaurants to operate at full capacity. The order overrides local ordinances unless cities can justify bar or restaurant closures on health or economic grounds.
  • September 23: The Miami-Dade County Public Schools board voted Sept. 22 to return students to in-class instruction. Prekindergarten, kindergarten, first grade, and students with special needs will return on Oct. 14. All others will return on Oct. 21. Families can opt for virtual learning. Miami-Dade County Public Schools is the fourth largest district in the United States.
  • September 14: Bars may reopen at 50% capacity. The state’s Department of Business & Professional Regulation announced the reopening on Sept. 10.
  • September 9: On Sept. 8, Palm Beach County entered Phase Two of reopening. Movie theaters, libraries, museums, and indoor entertainment venues were allowed to reopen at reduced capacity.
  • September 2: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed an order reopening long-term care facilities to visitors. All visitors will be required to wear a mask and pass a temperature check and screening for coronavirus symptoms.

August 2020

  • August 31: On Aug. 28, Florida’s First District Court of Appeals put a hold on Leon County Judge Charles Dodson’s ruling that Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran’s order requiring schools to open for in-person instruction was unconstitutional.
  • August 25: Florida Second Circuit Court Judge Charles Dodson issued a temporary injunction against Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran’s order requiring schools to open for in-person instruction by the end of August. Dodson said Corcoran's order is “unconstitutional to the extent that it arbitrarily disregards safety, denies local school boards' decision making with respect to reopening brick and mortar schools, and conditions funding on an approved reopening plan with a start date in August.”
  • August 20: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said an improvement in coronavirus statistics meant Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties in South Florida could soon move to Phase Two of reopening. The three counties have trailed the rest of the state in reopening.
  • August 19: On Aug. 18, the Florida Education Association and attorneys for the state met for court-ordered mediation over reopening schools. The union filed a lawsuit against the state last week seeking to stop the reopening of public schools to in-person instruction.
  • August 18: A representative for Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears said there was no clear timeline for when bars and breweries without food licenses would be allowed to serve alcohol for on-premise consumption. Such service has been suspended since June 26.

July 2020

  • July 27: On July 25, Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears tweeted that she would meet with breweries and bars across the state to discuss ideas for safely reopening those companies. They have been closed since June 26.
  • July 7: On July 6, the Florida Department of Education ordered that all school boards and charter school governing boards must physically open schools for at least five days per week for all students beginning in August.

June 2020

  • June 26: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said he is not reconsidering Florida’s reopening plan, but said the state is not ready to proceed to the next phase. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation suspended the consumption of alcohol at bars across the state.
  • June 17: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced he would not roll back reopening efforts after the state reached new daily highs in positive tests three times in the last week. DeSantis attributed the increase in positive test results to an increase in the number of tests taken.
  • June 11: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced he expects schools to reopen at full capacity in August. The Florida Department of Education released guidance for schools including social distancing guidelines, the conversion of common spaces (such as libraries, gyms, and auditoriums) into classroom areas, and disinfection protocols.
  • June 3: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that beginning on June 5 bars may reopen at 50% capacity inside and full capacity outside, with service only for seated patrons. Movie theaters and bowling alleys can reopen at 50% capacity on that day. The new rules apply to all counties except Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.

May 2020

  • May 22: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that summer camps and youth activities could open immediately with no additional restrictions.
  • May 18: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said theme parks in the state could begin submitting reopening plans for approval. The plans must include a target date for resuming operations and an endorsement from local officials. Disney World and Universal Studios, the largest theme parks in the state, have been closed since mid-March.
  • May 11: Palm Beach County was allowed to begin reopening Monday. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) approved the reopening Friday, May 8. On Thursday, May 7, Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner sent a letter asking DeSantis to allow the county to reopen under Phase One of the governor’s reopening plan. Palm Beach was initially left out of the plan alongside Broward and Miami-Dade counties, while the rest of the state moved to Phase One.
  • May 4: Gov. Ron Desantis' (R) April 29 executive order allowed restaurants, retail stores, libraries, and museums to open to 25% of their building occupancy under certain guidelines Monday. The order also allowed elective medical procedures under certain conditions. These allowances did not apply to Broward, Miami-Dade, or Palm Beach counties. The stay-at-home order expired Monday. Florida is a Republican trifecta.

April 2020

  • April 29: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) was expected to hold a press conference Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET to discuss the first phase of reopening the state. Florida’s stay-at-home order is scheduled to expire on Thursday.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

The Florida Department of Health released a distribution plan on October 16, 2020.

Quick facts

Florida state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] COVID-19 Vaccination Planning Workgroup
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? N/A[2]
Where can I find the distribution plan? Florida COVID-19 Distribution Plan
When was the plan first released to the public? October 16, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? October 16, 2020
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? Florida COVID-19 Response Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus vaccine in my state? COVID-19: vaccine summary
Where is the state health department's homepage? Florida Department of Health
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Florida - AARP

Timeline

  • March 29, 2021: Florida residents 40 and older became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.[3]
  • March 24, 2021: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that people 40 and older would become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine Monday, March 29. DeSantis said eligibility would expand to include everyone 18 and older on April 5.[4]
  • March 22, 2021: Florida residents 50 and older became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.[5]
  • March 15, 2021: Florida residents 60 and older became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.[6]
  • March 8, 2021: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that people 60 and older would become eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine March 15.[7]
  • March 1, 2021: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an order allowing law enforcement officers, firefighters, and K-12 teachers and staff aged 50 and older to receive coronavirus vaccines.[8]
  • February 25, 2021: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced the opening of six vaccine sites in Broward, Duval, Leon, Miami-Dade, and Osceola counties. The sites opened that day to frontline healthcare workers and people aged 65 and older.[9]
  • February 19, 2021: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that four federally supported COVID-19 vaccination sites would open in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville on March 3. Each site would operate seven days a week and administer 2,000 vaccines per day.[10]
  • February 18, 2021: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced the opening of a vaccination site in Pinellas Park. DeSantis said the Moderna vaccine would be used at the site.[11]
  • February 11, 2021: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced veterans of World War II and the Korean War were eligible for vaccinations through the state's program for homebound seniors.[12]
  • February 4, 2021: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced an interfaith vaccine campaign that would include synagogues and Islamic centers. The state previously held vaccine clinics at churches around the state.[13]
  • January 21, 2021: Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees released a health advisory aimed at preventing non-residents from accessing Florida’s supply of vaccines. The advisory required residents to show healthcare providers a copy of their Florida driver’s license or identification card to receive the first dose of a vaccine. Seasonal residents were still eligible to receive the vaccine if they could provide proof of residence for at least part of the year in the state.[14]
  • January 19, 2021: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced individuals age 65 and older would be able to receive vaccinations at 67 Publix pharmacies in Palm Beach County, two Publix pharmacies in Monroe County, and seven Publix pharmacies in Martin County. DeSantis said registration would open Jan. 20, and appointments would start Jan. 21.[15]

Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Does Florida have restrictions on travel? No. On August 6, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) rescinded the executive order requiring travelers from Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.[16]

More information can be found at Visit Florida.

Timeline

  • August 6, 2020: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) rescinded the executive order requiring travelers from Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.[17]
  • July 20, 2020: The Florida Department of Transportation confirmed that at least one checkpoint along the Florida-Georgia border established in March to get travelers from states like New York and Connecticut to self-quarantine had been discontinued.[18]
  • June 5, 2020: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that travelers from Louisiana would no longer need to self-quarantine for 14 days. The requirements remained in effect for visitors from Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.[19]
  • March 27, 2020: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) ordered all people traveling to Florida from Louisiana or an area with a widespread outbreak of COVID-19 on roadways to self-quarantine for two weeks. Those preforming health, military, or emergency duties were exempt. Travelers were required to inform residents with whom they had direct contact if they traveled to an area with a widespread outbreak of COVID-19. DeSantis also instructed the Florida Department of Transportation to establish checkpoints and the Florida Highway Patrol and County Sheriffs to enforce the order. Failure to comply could have resulted in fines up to $500 and jail time up to 60 days.[20]
  • March 24, 2020: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) ordered travelers flying into Florida from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to self-quarantine for two weeks.[21] Those preforming health, military, or emergency duties were exempt. Travelers were required to inform residents with whom they had direct contact if they traveled to an area with a widespread outbreak of COVID-19. Failure to comply could have resulted in fines up to $500 and jail time up to 60 days.[22]


School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Florida to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Florida were closed to in-person instruction on March 16, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. The state ordered schools to reopen for in-person instruction by August 31, 2020. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported all schools were in-person in Florida .[23][24]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported a majority of schools were in-person in Florida .[25][26]
  • August 31, 2020: Public schools were required to reopen for in-person instruction five days per week no later than August 31, according to the Florida Department of Education's order.[27]
  • August 28, 2020: Florida’s First District Court of Appeals put a hold on Florida Second Circuit Court Judge Charles W. Dodson’s ruling that Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran’s order requiring schools to open for in-person instruction was unconstitutional.[28]
  • August 24, 2020: Dodson issued a temporary injunction against Corcoran’s order requiring schools to open for in-person instruction by the end of August. In his decision, Dodson called Corcoran’s order “unconstitutional to the extent that it arbitrarily disregards safety, denies local school boards' decision making with respect to reopening brick and mortar schools, and conditions funding on an approved reopening plan with a start date in August.”[29]
  • July 6, 2020: The Florida Department of Education ordered that all school boards and charter school governing boards must physically open schools for at least five days per week for all students beginning in August.[30]
  • June 11, 2020: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced that he expected schools to reopen at full capacity in August. The Florida Department of Education released guidance for schools including social distancing guidelines, the conversion of common spaces (such as libraries, gyms, and auditoriums) into classroom areas, and disinfection protocols.[31]


  • April 18, 2020: DeSantis closed schools for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through May 1.[32]
  • March 30, 2020: The Florida Department of Education announced that the statewide school closure, scheduled to end April 14, was extended through May 1.[33]
  • March 17, 2020: DeSantis extended the public school closure through April 14.[34]
  • March 13, 2020: The Florida Department of Education closed schools across the state for two weeks effective March 16.[35]

Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


Florida did not issue a statewide mask requirement.


Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Power v. Leon County: On July 10, 2020, Judge John Cooper, of Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit Court, denied a motion to enjoin Leon County’s mask ordinance. The lawsuit, one of nine filed by attorney and state Representative Anthony Sabatini (R) on behalf of plaintiffs across the state, challenged the constitutionality of Leon County’s Emergency Ordinance 20-15, enacted on June 23, 2020, as a response to COVID-19. The ordinance required that individuals wear face coverings while inside public businesses to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The plaintiff, a Leon County resident and business owner, argued in his complaint that the ordinance violated guarantees of privacy, due process, religious freedom, and equal protection under the Florida Constitution. Cooper dismissed arguments that the ordinance was impermissibly vague and found the science justifying the ordinance convincing, stating, "If people are going to go into businesses and spread it all over the place, then about the only thing available is a face mask." Sabatini, who filed similar lawsuits against Martin, Miami-Dade, Seminole, Orange, and Hillsborough counties, as well as the cities of St. Augustine, DeLand, and Jacksonville, indicated an appeal would be filed in the First District Court of Appeal.[36][37]

Florida Education Association v. DeSantis: On August 3, 2020, the Florida Education Association, the state's largest teachers' union, filed an emergency motion requesting a status conference in its case against Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and the Florida Commission of Education. The union sought to block a state order that, it argued, mandated that schools physically reopen five days a week or lose critical funding. In response, Judge Spencer Eig, of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County, set a hearing for August 6, 2020, in which he was expected to rule on whether the suit was in the proper court. In its original complaint, the union argued that the state's emergency order to reopen physical school classrooms "imposes mandates that make it impossible to comply with CDC guidelines on physical distancing, hygiene, and sanitation." The union further argued that the order "comes with severe pressure” to physically reopen schools, as only those schools with state-approved reopening plans would be granted flexibility on student enrollment reporting, including funding based on pre-COVID full-time enrollment forecasts. According to the union, the state order violated Article IX, Section 1(a), of the Florida Constitution, which mandated safety and security in public schools. The union also alleged that the order was an "unreasonable, inconsistent, and arbitrary and capricious" deprivation of the plaintiffs’ due process rights. The union therefore sought an "injunction to prohibit all named defendants from taking actions to unconstitutionally force millions of public school students and employees to report to brick and mortar schools that should remain closed during the resurgence of COVID-19 cases." An attorney representing DeSantis said that if the case was not transferred to a different court, they would file an appeal.[38][39][40]

Tillis v. Manatee County: On August 2, 2020, a lawsuit seeking to enjoin Manatee County’s mask mandate was filed in Florida’s Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court. The lawsuit, filed by attorney and Florida State Representative Anthony Sabatini (R), challenged the constitutionality of Manatee County’s Resolution No. R-20-116. The resolution, adopted on July 27, 2020, required individuals to wear face coverings while inside public businesses to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus. In his complaint, the plaintiff, a Manatee County resident and pastor of a local Baptist church, argued that the mask mandate violated his religious freedom and "should not apply within churches, synagogues and other houses of worship because it interferes with the ability to pray." The plaintiff also alleged that the mask mandate violated guarantees of privacy and due process under the Florida Constitution, arguing it was impermissibly vague and overbroad, could lead to public disclosure of private medical information, and was an arbitrary and unreasonable deprivation of liberty. Sabatini filed similar lawsuits against Broward, Martin, Miami-Dade, Seminole, Orange, Leon, Pinellas, Collier, and Hillsborough counties, as well as the cities of St. Augustine, Key West, DeLand, and Jacksonville.[41]

Florida Education Association v. DeSantis: On August 24, 2020, Judge Charles W. Dodson, of Florida’s Second Circuit Court for Leon County, blocked an emergency order requiring that school districts physically open their schools or risk state funding. Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran issued the emergency order. The decision stemmed from two lawsuits, combined by the court, which alleged that the order violated the Florida Constitution. The plaintiffs, including the Florida Education Association, claimed that the order pressured school districts to physically reopen schools, as only those schools with state-approved reopening plans would be granted flexibility on student enrollment reporting, effectively losing state funding for students attending school online instead of on campus. Dodson found the order "unconstitutional to the extent it arbitrarily disregards safety, denies local school boards decision making with respect to reopening brick and mortar schools, and conditions funding on an approved reopening plan with a start date in August." Dodson ruled that "the day-to-day decision to open or close a school must always rest locally with the board or executive most closely associated with a school.". The state filed an appeal with Florida’s First District Court of Appeal, which automatically stayed Dodson’s order. In turn, the plaintiffs filed an emergency motion to dismiss that stay, with FEA president Fedrick Ingram saying, "Shame on a Commissioner of Education who would spend taxpayer dollars to try and reinvent some kind of privileged defense when you already have been proven that you are wrong." Corcoran countered in a statement, saying he was "100% confident we will win this lawsuit."[42][43][44]

Levine v. School District of Palm Beach County: On September 28, 2020, Judge Glenn Kelley, of the Palm Beach County Circuit Court, refused a request by local teachers seeking to transition students to distance learning. In their complaint, the group of local teachers argued that Palm Beach County’s school district reopening plan arbitrarily and capriciously denied "students, public school staff, their family members, and the public with whom they come in contact within the public-school system their basic human needs for health and safety," in violation of the Florida Constitution. In his order, Kelley wrote that, while he "is not unsympathetic to the safety concerns demonstrated by the Plaintiffs," he was unable to "second guess the plan developed and implemented by the School Board" Kelley said that "the Court simply cannot, and should not, determine the wisdom of public policy." The school district said the following in a statement: "The School District of Palm Beach County appreciates and respects Judge Kelley's very thoughtful decision in upholding the School Board's Reopening Plan." As of October 1, 2020, the plaintiffs had not publicly indicated whether they would appeal.[45][46][47]

State of Florida ex rel. Jackson v. Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.: On October 15, 2020, Judge Edward Scott, of Florida’s Marion County Circuit Court, declined to block President Donald Trump (R) from holding a campaign rally at the Ocala International Airport on October 16, 2020. Chanae Jackson, a Marion County resident whose two teenage children had been diagnosed with Covid-19, filed suit against Trump's campaign on October 14, 2020, arguing that "her family cannot afford to experience Covid-19 again." Jackson alleged that "Trump’s appearance while infected – in defiance of his own experts’ guidance – will embolden hundreds of his supporters to attend unmasked and undistanced." In his ruling, Scott found that Jackson had failed to meet the standard for issuance of an injunction, writing that "a prospective injury must be more than a remote possibility." Trump’s campaign did not comment on the lawsuit, and the event was scheduled to proceed as planned.[48][49]

Broward Teachers Union v. Broward County Public Schools: On January 7, 2021, the teachers' union for the Broward County Public Schools filed suit in the Broward County Circuit Court, challenging a school district mandate that staff return to physical classrooms. In its complaint, the Broward Teachers Union alleged that the district's "actions in the midst of a global pandemic put the lives of hundreds of educators at unnecessary and avoidable risk," in violation of Article I, Section 9, of the Florida Constitution. The union further argued that the district's mandate was an arbitrary and capricious state action, claiming it "has no rational basis and its implementation is completely unpredictable." In a statement to the media, union president Anna Fusco said, "The district must immediately stop playing this deadly bureaucratic game with our medically compromised educators." Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie countered, saying, "Schools are not sources of secondary transmission of the coronavirus." The suit was assigned to Judge Martin J. Bidwill.[50][51][52]

Florida v. Becerra: On June 18, 2021, Judge Steven Merryday, of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, temporarily suspended cruise industry restrictions issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC). The CDC’s challenged provisions established testing, vaccination, quarantine and isolation, and social distancing requirements. In its complaint, the state of Florida argued that the "CDC does not have the authority to issue year-and-a-half-long nationwide lockdowns of entire industries," adding that "even if it did, its actions here are arbitrary and capricious." Merryday, a George H.W. Bush (R) appointee, sided with Florida, finding that the CDC had exceeded its authority: "Never has CDC implemented measures as extensive, disabling and exclusive as those under review in this action." Under the terms of Merryday's ruling, the CDC’s restrictions were set to become guidance after July 18, 2021. Merryday gave the CDC until July 2, 2021, to propose narrower restrictions.[53][54]

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd. v. Rivkees: On July 13, 2021, Norwegian Cruise Line’s holding company sued Florida’s surgeon general, challenging the state’s ban against businesses asking for proof of COVID-19 vaccination. In the complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the cruise line argued that Florida’s “vaccine passport” prohibition was both preempted by federal law and unconstitutional. The cruise line argued that the law, which imposed fines up to $5,000 per violation against businesses requiring proof of vaccination, would force the cruise line to be "either on the wrong side of health and safety and the operative federal legal framework, or else on the wrong side of Florida law." The cruise line further argued that Florida’s law "blocks communications between a business and its customers, in violation of the First Amendment,” and violated the substantive due process rights of the company, its employees, and its customers. The cruise line asked the court to grant a preliminary injunction allowing it to resume sailing with its CDC-compliant safety protocols in place and to invalidate the Florida statute. The case was assigned to Judge Kathleen M. Williams, an appointee of Barack Obama (D).[55]

McCarthy v. DeSantis: On August 27, 2021, Leon County Circuit Court Judge John Cooper temporarily suspended Florida's prohibition against local mask mandates. In their complaint, a group of parents claimed that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) executive order barring school districts from mandating masks violated the Florida Constitution. The plaintiffs alleged that their children were "wrongfully being denied safe schools" by the mask ban. The plaintiffs further alleged that DeSantis’ order made "arbitrary and capricious demands on public schools," attempted to "usurp the mandate of the Florida Department of Health," and would "cause further spread of the virus" by unconstitutionally stripping the right to home rule from local school boards. Cooper found that DeSantis had "overstepped his authority," reasoning that, in light of scientific evidence, school district face mask policies were "reasonable and consistent." Cooper also found that, contrary to DeSantis’ contentions, local school district mask mandates did not violate the Florida Parents’ Bill of Rights, a statute signed into law on June 29, 2021. Instead, Cooper determined that DeSantis’ order violated the statute. Taryn Fenske, DeSantis' communications director, said DeSantis planned to appeal the decision.[56][57]

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name Office Date Status
Darren Soto U.S. House Florida District 9 September 8, 2021 Soto announced he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was fully vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[58]
Fred Hawkins Candidate, Florida House of Representatives District 42 September 21, 2020 Hawkins announced he tested positive for coronavirus.[59]
Ray Rodrigues Florida State Senate District 27 November 9, 2020 Rodrigues announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[60]
Geraldine Thompson Florida House of Representatives District 44 November 8, 2020 Thompson announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus.[61]
Michael Waltz U.S. House Florida District 6 November 6, 2020 Waltz announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[62]
Daniella Levine Cava Mayor of Miami-Dade County November 30, 2020 Levine Cava announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus.[63]
Scott Wilson (Florida) Jacksonville City Council District 4 November 3, 2020 Wilson announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[64]
Carlos Gimenez Member-elect, Florida's 26th Congressional District November 27, 2020 On November 27, 2020, Gimenez announced that he and his wife had tested positive for coronavirus the previous day.[65]
Rick Scott U.S. Senate Florida November 20, 2020 Scott announced he tested positive for COVID-19.[66]
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell U.S. House Florida District 26 May 22, 2020 Mucarsel-Powell announced that she was self-quarantining after visiting a nursing home on behalf of constituents. Several people at the nursing home had tested positive for coronavirus.[67]
Byron Donalds Florida House of Representatives District 80 March 9, 2020 Donalds announced he would self-quarantine after attending a conference. He was cleared the next day by health officials and returned to work.[68]
Cord Byrd Florida House of Representatives District 11 March 9, 2020 Byrd announced he would self-quarantine after attending a conference. He was cleared the next day by health officials and returned to work.[69]
Thad Altman Florida House of Representatives District 52 March 9, 2020 Altman announced he would self-quarantine after attending a conference. He was cleared the next day by health officials and returned to work.[70]
Kionne McGhee Florida House of Representatives District 117 March 9, 2020 McGhee announced he would self-quarantine after attending a conference. He was cleared the next day by health officials and returned to work.[71]
Jose Oliva Florida House of Representatives District 110 March 9, 2020 Oliva announced he would self-quarantine after attending a conference, and returned to work after being cleared.[72]
Ted Deutch U.S. House Florida District 22 March 27, 2020 Deutch announced his decision to self-quarantine for coronavirus.[73]
Aaron Bean Florida State Senate District 4 March 2, 2021 Bean announced that he and his wife tested positive for coronavirus.[74]
Frederica Wilson U.S. House Florida District 24 March 19, 2020 Wilson announced a self-quarantine after a member of the U.S. House she previously had contact with tested positive for coronavirus.[75]
Stephanie Murphy U.S. House Florida District 7 March 19, 2020 Murphy announced she was entering a self-quarantine after learning another member of Congress tested positive for coronavirus.[76]
Mario Diaz-Balart U.S. House Florida District 25 March 18, 2020 Diaz-Balart announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[77]
Joe Gruters Florida State Senate District 23 March 17, 2021 Gruters announced that he would self-quarantine after his wife tested positive for coronavirus.[78]
Emily Bonilla Orange County Board of County Commissioners District 5 March 14, 2020 Bonilla announced that her office would self-quarantine through March 19 after she came down with cold-like symptoms.[79]
Sam Newby Jacksonville City Council At-large Position 5 March 14, 2020 Newby tested positive for coronavirus.[80]
Francis Suarez Mayor of Miami March 13, 2020 Suarez tested positive for coronavirus.[81]On March 31, 2020, Suarez announced he tested negative for a second time and ended his quarantine.[82]
Matt Gaetz U.S. House Florida District 1 March 10, 2020 Gaetz announced he would self-quarantine following his exposure to an individual who had tested positive for coronavirus.[83]
Rob Bradley Florida State Senate District 5 July 28, 2020 Bradley announced he tested positive for coronavirus.[84]
Randy Fine Florida House of Representatives District 53 July 22, 2020 Fine announced that he tested positive for coronavirus.[85]
Ashley B. Moody Attorney General of Florida July 21, 2021 Moody announced in a tweet that she had tested positive for coronavirus. She said in the tweet that she had gotten a COVID-19 vaccine earlier in the year.[86]
Shevrin Jones Florida House of Representatives District 101 July 2, 2020 Jones announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[87]
Vern Buchanan U.S. House Florida District 16 July 19, 2021 Buchanan announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus. He said he had received a COVID-19 vaccine.[88]
Lisa Wheeler-Bowman St. Petersburg City Council District 7 July 14, 2020 Wheeler-Bowman announced revealed that she had tested positive for coronavirus.[89]
Gus Bilirakis U.S. House Florida District 12 January 6, 2021 Bilirakis announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[90]
John Dailey Mayor of Tallahassee, Florida January 5, 2022 Dailey announced on January 5, 2022, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[91]
Lenny Curry Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida January 4, 2022 Curry announced on January 4, 2022, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[92]
Kenneth Welch Mayor-elect of St. Petersburg, Florida January 3, 2022 Welch announced on January 3, 2022, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[93]
Kevin Carrico Jacksonville City Council District 4 January 26, 2021 Carrico announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus. He entered the emergency room on Jan. 28.[94]
Loranne Ausley Florida State Senate District 3 January 25, 2021 Ausley announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus.[95]
Jason Shoaf Florida House of Representatives District 7 January 24, 2021 Shoaf announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[96]
Charlie Miranda Tampa City Council District 2 At-Large January 21, 2021 Miranda announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[97]
Anthony Sabatini Florida House of Representatives District 32 January 14, 2021 Sabatini announced he would self-quarantine after a possible exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.[98]
Kathleen Passidomo Florida State Senate District 28 January 10, 2021 Passidomo announced she had tested positive for coronavirus.[99]
Jim Boyd Florida State Senate District 21 February 8, 2021 Boyd announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[100]
Dan Daley Florida House of Representatives District 97 February 22, 2021 Daley announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[101]
Maria Elvira Salazar U.S. House Florida District 27 December 31, 2020 Salazar announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus.[102]
Aaron Bowman (Florida) Jacksonville City Council District 3 December 21, 2020 Bowman announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[103]
Wilton Simpson Florida State Senate District 10 December 14, 2020 Simpson announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[104]
Christopher Latvala Florida House of Representatives District 67 August 30, 2020 Latvala announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[105]
Neal Dunn U.S. House Florida District 2 April 9, 2020 Dunn announced that he tested positive for coronavirus.[106]

Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Found on page 5 of the state's vaccine distribution plan.
  2. ↑ If you know where we can find a phase map, email us.
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FL329
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FL324
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FL322
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FL315
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FL38
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FL31
  9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FL225
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FL219
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FL218
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FL211
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FL24
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FL121
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FL119
  16. ↑ Florida Politics, "Gov. DeSantis quietly lifts travel restrictions for New York area," August 6, 2020
  17. ↑ Florida Politics, "Gov. DeSantis quietly lifts travel restrictions for New York area," August 6, 2020
  18. ↑ New4Jax, "Florida’s COVID-19 checkpoint on I-95 finally closed," July 20, 2020
  19. ↑ Nola.com, "Florida lifts coronavirus travel restrictions for Louisiana residents entering state," June 5, 2020
  20. ↑ State of Florida, "Emergency Management - COVID-19 - Additional Requirements of Certain Individuals Traveling to Florida," accessed April 2, 2020
  21. ↑ CBSN Philly, "Coronavirus Latest: Florida Governor Mandates 14-Day Self-Quarantine For Travelers Coming From New York, New Jersey And Connecticut," March 24, 2020
  22. ↑ State of Florida, "Emergency Management - COVID-19 - Isolation of Individuals Traveling to Florida," accessed April 2, 2020
  23. ↑ Burbio rated Florida's in-person index at 100. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  24. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 6, 2021
  25. ↑ Burbio rated Florida's in-person index between 60-80. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  26. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 6, 2021
  27. ↑ USA Today, "Florida schools reopened en masse, but a surge in coronavirus didn't follow, a USA TODAY analysis finds," accessed February 15, 2021
  28. ↑ News4Jax, "Florida school reopening ruling back on hold," August 28, 2020
  29. ↑ NPR, "Florida Judge Rules State Order Requiring Schools To Reopen 'Unconstitutional,'" August 24, 2020
  30. ↑ Bay News 9, "Florida: Districts Must Reopen School Campuses Next Month," July 6, 2020
  31. ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "Gov. Ron DeSantis announces plan for reopening Florida schools," June 11, 2020
  32. ↑ The Hill, "DeSantis announces K-12 schools will be closed for rest of school year in Fla." April 18, 2020
  33. ↑ WCTV, "Florida Department of Education says schools closed through at least May 1 due to COVID-19," March 30, 2020
  34. ↑ FOX13, "Florida public school campuses closed until April 15, state cancels all testing for K-12 schools," March 17, 2020
  35. ↑ FOX 13, "All Florida public schools to close for 2 weeks to limit coronavirus spread," March 13, 2020
  36. ↑ Leon County Government, "To Protect Public Health, County Requires Face Coverings While Offering Free Face Coverings for Pickup," June 23, 2020
  37. ↑ ABC 27 WTXL, "Lawsuit filed against Leon County seeks to stop enforcement of indoor mask order," June 25, 2020
  38. ↑ Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, "Florida Education Association v. DeSantis: Plaintiffs' Renewed Emergency Motion for Status Conference," August 3, 2020
  39. ↑ Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, "Florida Education Association v. DeSantis: Complaint," July 20, 2020
  40. ↑ WTSP, "Hearing set for Thursday in teachers' union lawsuit to stop schools from reopening," August 5, 2020
  41. ↑ Florida’s Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court, "Tillis v. Manatee County: Verified Complaint," August 2, 2020
  42. ↑ Florida’s Second Circuit Court for Leon County, "Florida Education Association v. DeSantis: Order," August 24, 2020
  43. ↑ Florida Phoenix, "Governor, Education Commissioner balk at judge’s ruling and file appeal to keep public schools open," August 24, 2020
  44. ↑ Orlando Sentinel, "Judge strikes down Florida’s school reopening order, says unconstitutional to require ‘brick and mortar’ classes this month," August 25, 2020
  45. ↑ Palm Beach County Circuit Court, "Levine v. School District of Palm Beach County: Order," September 28, 2020
  46. ↑ Levine v. School District of Palm Beach County: Complaint," September 18, 2020
  47. ↑ ABC 25 WPBF News, "Judge denies motion to shut down Palm Beach County brick-and-mortal schools," September 29, 2020
  48. ↑ Marion County Circuit Court, "State of Florida ex rel. Jackson v. Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.: Complaint," October 14, 2020
  49. ↑ Marion County Circuit Court, "State of Florida ex rel. Jackson v. Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.: Order," October 15, 2020
  50. ↑ Broward County Circuit Court, "Broward Teachers Union v. Broward County Public Schools: Complaint," January 7, 2021
  51. ↑ Miami Herald, "Broward school district says all teachers must return to the classroom. They’re suing." January 7, 2021
  52. ↑ NBC Miami, "Broward Schools, Teachers Union Still at War Over in-Classroom Learning," January 19, 2021
  53. ↑ [ https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flmd.388773/gov.uscourts.flmd.388773.91.0_1.pdfUnited States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, "Florida v. Becerra: Order," June 18, 2021]
  54. ↑ United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, "Florida v. Becerra: Complaint for Declaratory and Preliminary and Permanent Injunctive Relief," April 8, 2021
  55. ↑ United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, "Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd. v. Rivkees: Complaint for Declaratory Relief and Preliminary and Permanent Injunctive Relief," July 13, 2021
  56. ↑ Spectrum News 13, "Florida judge: DeSantis mask mandate ban violates Parent Bill of Rights," August 27, 2021
  57. ↑ NBC News, "DeSantis' school mask mandate ban is unlawful, Florida judge rules," August 27, 2021
  58. ↑ The Hill, "Florida Democrat becomes latest breakthrough COVID-19 case in House," September 8, 2021
  59. ↑ Orlando Sentinel, "House District 42 candidate Fred Hawkins Jr. tests positive for COVID-19," September 22, 2020
  60. ↑ WINK News, "State Rep. Ray Rodrigues tests positive for COVID-19," November 9, 2020
  61. ↑ Florida Politics, "Geraldine Thompson tests positive for COVID-19," November 9, 2020
  62. ↑ The Hill, "Florida GOP Rep. Mike Waltz tests positive for COVID-19," November 7, 2020
  63. ↑ CBS Miami, "Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava Announces She’s Tested Positive For COVID," November 30, 2020
  64. ↑ News4Jax, "Jacksonville City Council member Scott Wilson tests positive for coronavirus," November 9, 2020
  65. ↑ CNN, "Incoming Florida congressman tests positive for Covid-19," November 27, 2020
  66. ↑ The Hill, "Rick Scott tests positive for coronavirus," November 20, 2020
  67. ↑ Florida Politics, "Debbie Mucarsel-Powell self-quarantining after potential COVID-19 exposure," May 22, 2020
  68. ↑ Wesh 2', "Florida state reps back at work after brief self-quarantine," March 10, 2020
  69. ↑ Wesh 2', "Florida state reps back at work after brief self-quarantine," March 10, 2020
  70. ↑ Wesh 2', "Florida state reps back at work after brief self-quarantine," March 10, 2020
  71. ↑ Wesh 2', "Florida state reps back at work after brief self-quarantine," March 10, 2020
  72. ↑ Wesh 2', "Florida state reps back at work after brief self-quarantine," March 10, 2020
  73. ↑ South Florida Sun Sentinel, "Congressman Ted Deutch in self-quarantine after his college-age son returned from Spain with coronavirus symptoms," March 26, 2020
  74. ↑ News 4 Jax, "Sen. Aaron Bean tests positive for COVID-19 as 2021 legislative session opens," March 5, 2021
  75. ↑ Twitter, "Alex Daugherty on March 19, 2020," accessed March 19, 2020
  76. ↑ FOX 35 Orlando, "Florida Rep. Stephanie Murphy self-quarantining after making contact with congressman who has coronavirus," March 18, 2020
  77. ↑ Politico, "First 2 members of Congress test positive for coronavirus," March 18, 2020
  78. ↑ Sarasota Herald-Tribune, "Sarasota Republican Sen. Joe Gruters leaves Capitol for home after COVID-19 contact," March 17, 2021
  79. ↑ Click Orlando.com, "Office of Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla to self-quarantine," March 14, 2020
  80. ↑ News 4 Jax, "Jacksonville City Council member tests positive for COVID-19," March 15, 2020
  81. ↑ The Miami Herald, "Miami mayor tests positive for coronavirus after event with Bolsonaro and staffers," March 13, 2020
  82. ↑ Miami Herald, "Miami mayor freed from 18-day coronavirus quarantine after second negative test," March 30, 2020
  83. ↑ CNBC, "GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz says he tested negative for coronavirus, will stay quarantined after contact with Trump," March 10, 2020
  84. ↑ News4Jax, "Florida state senator from Clay County tests positive for coronavirus," July 29, 2020
  85. ↑ Florida Today, "State Rep. Randy Fine first known Brevard politician to contract coronavirus," July 22, 2020
  86. ↑ News 4 Jax, "Florida AG Ashley Moody tests positive for COVID-19," July 21, 2021
  87. ↑ The Tampa Bay Times, "South Florida lawmaker tests positive for COVID-19," July 2, 2020
  88. ↑ Bradenton Herald, "Fully vaccinated Rep. Buchanan urges safety measures after testing positive for COVID," July 19, 2021
  89. ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "St. Petersburg Council member Lisa Wheeler-Bowman tests positive for coronavirus," July 14, 2020
  90. ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Palm Harbor tests positive for coronavirus," January 6, 2020
  91. ↑ WCTV, "Tallahassee Mayor announces he’s positive for COVID-19," January 5, 2022
  92. ↑ First Coast News, "Jacksonville Mayor Curry returns to work after isolation as a result of positive COVID test, says city," January 10, 2022
  93. ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "St. Petersburg mayor-elect Ken Welch has COVID-19. His inauguration will be virtual," January 3, 2022
  94. ↑ Jacksonville Record & Observer, "Council member Kevin Carrico’s 14-day COVID-19 quarantine ends Feb. 9," February 5, 2021
  95. ↑ Tallahassee Democrat, "Loranne Ausley says she is COVID-19 positive, second Leon County legislator this week," January 25, 2021
  96. ↑ Tallahassee Democrat, "Jason Shoaf, a Florida House member who represents part of Leon, 'positive for COVID'," January 24, 2021
  97. ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "Tampa City Council member Charlie Miranda tests positive for coronavirus," January, 22, 2021
  98. ↑ CL Tampa, "Florida Rep. Sabatini, who sued cities over mask mandates, now in quarantine after COVID-19 exposure," January 14, 2021
  99. ↑ Naples Daily News, "Sen. Kathleen Passidomo tests positive for COVID-19, has 'mild, cold-like symptoms'," January 10, 2020
  100. ↑ The Herald-Tribune, "Bradenton lawmaker Jim Boyd tests positive for COVID-19 and is having ‘mild symptoms’," February 8, 2021
  101. ↑ Florida Politics, "Dan Daley tests positive for COVID-19," February 22, 2021
  102. ↑ The Hill, "Florida Rep.-elect Elvira Salazar tests positive for COVID-19," December 31, 2020
  103. ↑ News 4 Jax, "Jacksonville City Councilman Aaron Bowman tests positive for COVID-19," December 21, 2020
  104. ↑ WPTV, "Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson tests positive for coronavirus," December 14, 2020
  105. ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "State Rep. Chris Latvala of Clearwater tests positive for COVID-19," August 30, 2020
  106. ↑ The Hill, "Florida Republican becomes sixth member of Congress to test positive for coronavirus," April 9, 2020
v • e
Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
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