Any chance of Disney Parks re-opening on April 1 is now officially gone. Orlando is effectively shut down as Coronavirus tears through the state of Florida.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has issued a stay-at-home order for all of Orange County and the cities within it, lasting from 11 p.m. Thursday until 11 p.m. April 9.
This of course includes Orlando.
From WFTV Channel 9…
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said people will still be allowed to leave their home to buy groceries, to order takeout, to buy supplies to work from home, to get exercise and to visit the pharmacist or doctor’s office, so long as they practice social distancing.
Officials said that those who cannot work from home will still be able to go to work.
They said businesses that do not sell “essential items” must close once the order goes into effect.
Sheriff John Mina said he and his deputies are not interested in arresting people who violate the stay-at-home order. Instead, he said he wants the public to be in the “right frame of mind.”
However, Orlando’s economy is built on a lot of “non-essential” businesses… tourism. This will no doubt be catastrophic for the area.
Florida state health officials have reported 1,412 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 18 deaths.
More on this story as it develops.
[Source: WFTV Channel 9]
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