Disney Parks all over the world closed last year, with Disneyland remaining closed, while others have reopened and shut down again.
Although Disney World has remained reopened since last summer, COVID-19 cases in Florida have steadily been on the rise. According to First Coast News, the White House Task Force has now recommended that Florida should close all gyms, bars, and restaurants in the state.
This recommendation comes after a rise in hospitalizations that has put Florida in the red zone.
Bars, restaurants, and gyms are places where masks aren’t worn 100% of the time, which is why the recommendations only cover those specific business types. It’s also unclear if this recommendation includes restaurants and bars with outdoor seating. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has previously spoken out against another lockdown in the state.
Today, according to First Coast News, Governor DeSantis did not mention the White House Task Force recommendation, but did say the following: “We believe every job is essential…You work in a restaurant, we have your back. If you are a hair stylist, we protect your right to earn a living and if you are a parent we ensure your kids have the right to in-person learning. Lockdowns do not work.”
If these measures were implemented, it could affect Disney World, which is home to more than 200 restaurants. At the moment, Disney World restaurants are still operating with limited capacity, although the state of Florida removed capacity limits for restaurants last September.
Florida officials have not yet made an official statement about the White House Task Force’s recommendations, but if they do, we’ll be sure to let you know.
Vicki+Pierce says
Florida is a spread out state. Before any actions are taken, it should be evaluated WHERE these new cases are coming from. There is no reason to shut down the state if the vast majority of cases are in Miami.
Joseph Costa says
And when the Floridians start to sue DeSantis for the deaths, and make him personally pay the price , he is not going to do a single thing different. If Biden cuts off the extra money Florida gets from the fed. And makes Floridians pay their own bills. Those people wont give any thought until it cost them personally.
Ashley says
THA K YOU FL GOVERNOR!! Stand strong and keep it up!
Michele says
Do not close Florida!!! DeSantis is doing a fantastic job for this state and has the right priorities for our citizens.
Gregg says
There is ZERO evidence that it spreads in those locations. 85 % of all cases are caught at HOME.
Rory says
DeSantis is an excellent Governor, and it’s his call to make. We stand behind our Governor.
Rich says
I live in Florida and I am a Disney AP holder. I have been to WDW several times in the last few months and have had no problem socially distancing.
I go to the gym and restaurants and outdoor concerts and have my hair cut without any concern because proper safety procedures are done everywhere.
My friends and relatives up north tell me they can’t do anything and are house bound even though the virus is spreading up there just as much if not more. How are people getting the virus if they are not going out and doing anything?
WDW is big and open and mostly outside so it is fairly easy to keep safe.
Governor Desantis is treating people like adults and letting them make their own choices about their health. I fully support the way the State is handling this matter. I really enjoy living in Florida and even more during this difficult time.
BTW – I have received my first vaccine shot last Friday and will receive my second in a few weeks.
JN says
DeSantis is a disaster.
JoeZ says
Thank God for Governor DeSantis, he’s a true leader.
Michael Ieyoub says
More nonsense. Thank God Florida has a great Governor.
Maryanne Kenly says
They’re a RED ZONE for god’s sake! Do something to stop the spread! People are dying!!!
Jesse says
Money is the main driving force of most Americans. Personal well being is only important to Americans when it involves them personally and individually. And for that moment. The health and well fare of a neighbor is only important when it doesn’t impact or present a hardship to the other involved. This is a fundamental truth. It is based not on words but by the conduct of people. That is just the country we live in. It’s possible to see different points of perspective. We have to work to live. But we also have to live to work. Children need an education, and adults need to use the education the CDC gives regarding the precautions. Front line workers see this everyday. And our thanks and gratitude to them can never be over emphasized. Closing or not closing certain businesses is not about having someone’s “back” it’s about a determination of wether those responsible for our personal health and well fare deem it necessary or unnecessary. I’ve always taught my kids that to have a friends back means to support them beyond the possible and stop them when they pose a problem or danger to themselves. It can be hard to do the latter because they won’t like it. So should restaurants close? Realistically they won’t. So workers don’t be irate. And those who think they should, no one says you have patronize the open establishments.
Pattie says
Please do not use this to b political there is enough that going on we have annuals too and we hope b there n the spring and so does everyone else the main thing is to b safe and Disney is trying very hard to do this everyone needs to step back and take a breathe and smile and have love n their hearts and calm down it’s good for the human spirit 😌❤️
Johnny says
Translation: Florida is making other States look even worse.
To be clear, Florida is not in a “Red Zone” because Florida does not use whatever standard that is so in terms of our State policy, it’s completely irrelevant.
Thank heavens for Governor DeSantis. Walt Disney World will stay open. Guests will continue to visit and the Cast will still have jobs.
BTW, if you’re worried, just don’t go to restaurants. There, problem solved. But no one has any right to tell me or anyone else not to go. And no, I have to reason to worry about C19 any more then driving to Magic Kingdom. And no, I will not be getting the vaccine since I have a statistically better chance just recovering from the disease.
And before anyone gets all sanctimonious, people are choosing to go to work and people are choosing to go out. No one is being forced. No one. Really? Prove it…yeah, I knew you couldn’t.
I completely understand the intense jelousy people are feeling seeing us (almost) fully enjoying the theme parks, restaurants, beaches, etc. while they’re shut it for no scientifically valid reason. Well, off to Universal today for me.
Axelskater says
I am not sure why this was posted as a new article but – The report was complied in Late 2020 (December) and out together in the 1st 2 weeks of January (by the FORMER task force, led by Dr. Birx, not the current task force). It was then sent to the Governor on January 17. The Governor gave it the consideration it probably deserved. Then and ONLY after a FOIA request was submitted by the press did they get hold of it, around January 28th, nearly 2 weeks after it was sent to the Governor and more than a month after the research was even conducted. The research is obsolete at this point. Read the FAU Covid Tracker. It is the only one worth looking at, and it drills down to the most important aspects which the Governor takes in to account – mainly hospitalizations, then trajectory. Florida has been on a downward trajectory which began about 10 days ago. DeSantis was always a policy wonk. He doesn’t need the hysterics of the press to make his decisions. Thank goodness. Considering the timeline for this research and the outdated data itself, it seems odd to post it as “news” or “current”.
Frank says
I take Governor DeSantis over Cuomo….. Last year msm was making Cuomo some great leader. Coming out now he was a disaster.
Eloni says
They are pushing us closer and closer to another Great Depression . Desantis is smart enough to see this.
Su Goods says
I am a 60 something who needs to be careful because of a previous health issue. I monitor myself. I have litterly been out to eat four times since last March and this was in the heat of summer when i could be outside. I go to the grocery on Monday every other week and am very careful. I have not been seeing family and friends indoors. No, it is not easy but right now necessary for me. Yet, I feel all should not be made to do the same. I feel if folks are following the three main tentants (distance, masks, hand washing) to control spread they should have choices. All parts of the country are different depending on population density, weather, and means of travel etc. People are differnt based on age, pre-existing conditions, other health issues, etc. etc. We cancelled our two-week Disney visit for January but should others have to? I personally do not think so.
Charles Demmons says
No way should we close Florida again. If the spike is up we will survive, Stop using politics to take money out of our pockets.
Jack says
Florida governor is doing an awesome job. New York and California are a disaster. It’s simple. If you don’t want to go to a restaurant or bar or gym then don’t. Stay home and live in fear.
Lisa says
So much I want to say but won’t . We are AP and DVC from Maine and are disappointed to not go to WFW due to lack of FL regulations. Our numbers adjusted for population are much better here than FL. It’s sad to see regulations made based on politics rather than science. We just would love to safely get back to WDW.
Mike says
When the feds cut off all moneys to the state that’s on all of you! You don’t need any relief funds you all have jobs to go to, right! I hope all the locals can support all those theme parks, Tourism is going to die just like 95,000 Americans did in January….. good luck god bless you will need it
Barbara says
I think the govenor is great.
John says
Nonbelievers…… beware
brandon says
Johnny:
Preach brother!
brandon says
I like to live by the moto…
“Covid 19 is like raw cookie dough.
I know the risks. Now let me live my life. “
Edward Wrobel says
If you don’t want to go to WDW don’t
Pattie says
We do not know of any one that is jealous of people going to theme parks r any thing else that Florida is doing and there is a virus going around we go out n my state and do things we r annual pass holders and plan to go to Disney and if things get bad we will make our decision I have family n Florida and we r NOT jealous and we don’t make remarks about people that worry