Today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order that will close nonessential businesses in Boca Raton and throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties.
The order mandates “all movie theaters, concert houses, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys, arcades, gymnasiums, fitness studios and beaches to close in Broward County and Palm Beach County.” It will last until at least March 31.
Businesses that can remain open include grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants offering pickup or delivery services.
The executive order follows a number of other drastic measures taken by state and local governments this week to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including the City of Boca Raton’s declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday and the closure of all state public schools through at least April 15.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports that there are currently over 500 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Florida, including a 6-year-old in Boca Raton.
