BROWARD COUNTY, FL -  County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-12 today, consolidating directives contained in several previous Orders and clarifying business and resident responsibilities for adherence to social distancing, facial covering, and sanitation requirements as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Specifically, the Order:

• Allows all nonprofit, retail, and commercial establishments, and any other facility doing business, except for those expressly identified in the Order, to resume operations subject to certain restrictions.
• Outlines guidance for each type of establishment that is allowed to reopen, in a series of 12 detailed attachments.
• Directs that certain types of businesses must remain closed, pursuant to Governor’s Executive Orders, including but not limited to: bars and nightclubs (except for food take-out or delivery); movie theaters (except for existing licensed drive-in theaters); concert houses, bowling alleys, and other venues that encourage large group gatherings; tattoo parlors and massage parlors.
• Hot tubs, commercial gyms and fitness centers, and beaches remain closed. Additionally, hotels, motels and other commercial lodging cannot accept new reservations (except for certain identified exceptions).
• Expressly provides for County and municipal personnel to enter establishments in areas that are open to the public, for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the Order.
• Encourages businesses who are able to utilize remote working methods to continue to do so.

The Order reminds the community when facial coverings are required and that they are not a substitute for social distancing. Facial coverings must continue to be worn by employees in reopened businesses during in-person interactions with the public; by members of the public when obtaining goods and services from public businesses, unless the service precludes wearing of a facial covering (such as eating or face grooming); and by workers involved in the preparation of food, even if they are not engaged in interactions with the public, with exceptions as noted in the Order. An emergency order regarding beaches, commercial gyms and hotels will be issued this week.

“We are all are in this together,” said Henry. “It’s important for everyone to follow the guidelines to ensure we have a successful reopening. If we fail to adhere to the safety provisions, we risk harming our community, especially our most vulnerable residents, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, and it will delay our economic recovery.”

Residents are encouraged to participate in the compliance process by reporting violations to MyBroward.Broward.org. Select “Request for Service,” enter the location of the violation, and select “COVID-19 Business Complaints” as the Type of Issue. You can also call the Broward County Call Center at 311 or 954-831-4000. Both types of reports can be made anonymously.

DATE: May 21, 2020 
MEDIA CONTACT: Ric Barrick, Assistant Director
Office of Public Communications 
PHONE: 954-357-8541
EMAIL: rbarrick@broward.org