Florida order cancels COVID-19 fines after “unprecedented local government restrictions”
HE SAYS THAT SHOULD HAPPEN SOON. BUT AFTER THAT, HE HINTED THAT EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF AGE, WILL BE GIVEN ACCESS TO THE VACCINE. HE DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC TIMEFRAME FOR WHEN THAT MIGHT HAPPEN. MEREDITH: BREAKING TONIGHT, GOVERNOR DESANTIS HAS ALSO ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, REMOVING ALL PANDEMIC-RELATED FINES LEVIED AGAINST BUSINESSES ACCUSED OF IGNORING COVID SAFETY RULES. >> I’D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF COVID-19-RELATED FINES. I AM MOVING FOR REMISSION ON ALL THE OUTSTANDING FINES ON INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES, IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT MANY OF THESE RESTRICTIONS HAVE SHOWN TO BE INFECTIVE, AND I THINK THEY’VE UNFAIRLY PENALIZED PEOPLE. MEREDITH: WESH 2’S SANIKA DANGE JOINS US LIVE IN DOWNTOWN ORLANDO WITH DETAILS ON THE ORDER AND REACTION FROM A LOCAL BUSINESS WHICH WAS FINED. SANIKA SANIKA: MEREDITH, THE GOVERNOR’S ORDER ELIMINATES FINES AGAINST ANY FLORIDA BUSINESS CITED FOR IGNORED SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. THINGS LIKE MASK MANDATES, CAPACITY RULES, OR SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES. HERE IN ORANGE COUNTY, COMPLIANCE STRIKE TEAMS HAVE BEEN SPOT-CHECKING BUSINESSES FOR MONTHS, ISSUING WARNINGS AND FINES. ACCORDING TO A WESH 2 INVESTIGATION LAST MONTH, IN ORANGE COUNTY ALONE, COMPLIANCE STRIKE TEAMS FINED 21 BUSINESS WITH 300 DOLLAR CITATIONS. AMONG THOSE BUSINESSES, IN AND OUT 2 BARBER SHOP IN APOPKA. TONIGHT I SPOKE TO THE OWNER, WHO SAYS HE WAS ORIGINALLY FINED $300 BECAUSE HIS CUSTOMER REFUSED TO WEAR A MASK. HE SAYS THE GOVERNOR’S ORDER IS ONLY FAIR. >> IF IT WAS THAT I WAS NOT FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES IN MY BUSINESS, ME OR MY STAFF, I COULD UNDERSTAND. I’M NOT AGAINST MASK WEARING. WE HAVE TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE, BUT I SHOULDN’T BE THE ONE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT SOMEONE ELSE DECIDES NOT TO DO. SANIKA: SOME BUSINESSES HAD TO BE FINED MULTIPLE TIMES, MANY WERE ISSUED WARNINGS. THE GOVERNOR’S ORDER COVERS ANY CITATIONS FILED FROM MARCH 1, 2020, TO TONIGHT. WE’VE REACHED OUT TO THE COUN FOR REACTION AND AN EXPLANATION BUT WE HAVE YET TO HEAR B
Florida order cancels COVID-19 fines after “unprecedented local government restrictions”
Updated: 11:11 PM EST Mar 10, 2021
Gov. Ron DeSantis has filed an executive order that cancels any fines related to local government COVID-19 restrictions on people and business.The order states any fines imposed between March 1, 2020, and March 10, 2021, fines imposed by any political subdivision of Florida related to local government COVID-19 restrictions are canceled.The order goes on to say it can serve as a defense to the collection of those fines.The order only applies to local government and not any enforcement or COVID-19 related orders taken by the state.It also does not cancel fines imposed on assisted living facilities, hospitals or health care providers.The last section of the order reads: “This Executive Order does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the State, its departments or agencies, or its officers, employees, or agents.”According to the order, it was warranted because of “unprecedented local government restrictions” on businesses and people over the last year.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has filed an executive order that cancels any fines related to local government COVID-19 restrictions on people and business.
The order states any fines imposed between March 1, 2020, and March 10, 2021, fines imposed by any political subdivision of Florida related to local government COVID-19 restrictions are canceled.
The order goes on to say it can serve as a defense to the collection of those fines.
The order only applies to local government and not any enforcement or COVID-19 related orders taken by the state.
It also does not cancel fines imposed on assisted living facilities, hospitals or health care providers.
The last section of the order reads: “This Executive Order does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the State, its departments or agencies, or its officers, employees, or agents.”
According to the order, it was warranted because of “unprecedented local government restrictions” on businesses and people over the last year.