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Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) announced late Sept. 10 that bars across the state may reopen at 50% capacity next week.
DBPR suspended on premises alcohol consumption by executive order June 26 in response to COVID-19, just weeks after Gov. Ron DeSantis allowed establishments to reopen. That order has been rescinded effective Sept. 14.
“We are rescinding amended EO 20-09 from DBPR as of Monday,” DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears shared via tweet. “Starting Monday, all bars will be reopened at 50% occupancy.” View his announcement and read the full order below:
We are rescinding amended EO 20-09 from DBPR as of Monday. Starting Monday, all bars will be reopened at 50% occupancy. pic.twitter.com/YqQR2MkJpR
— HalseyBeshears (@HalseyBeshears) September 10, 2020
The official DBPR Twitter account subsequently echoed the secretary. “Beginning Mon., Sept 14, bars and other alcoholic beverage vendors may resume sales and service of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises,” officials wrote.
Beginning Mon., Sept 14, bars and other alcoholic beverage vendors may resume sales and service of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. Click here for more information: https://t.co/P5GGmHFFAn
— Florida DBPR (@FloridaDBPR) September 11, 2020
Beshears also released a statement, advising that “In meetings with hundreds of owners of bars and breweries across the state, I’ve heard their stories of struggle, and I’ve observed their serious commitment to making health and safety a continuing priority in their businesses.
“It’s time that we take this step,” he continued, “and it’s vital that we start moving forward with this sector of our hospitality industry who have endured one of the toughest paths for sustaining a business during this pandemic.”
Watermark spoke with a number of LGBTQ bars throughout Central Florida and Tampa Bay in July, some of which have since reopened with food licenses. Tampa’s City Side Lounge did so Sept. 2 after owner James Encke shared he felt the industry was being unfairly targeted.
Watermark will detail the reopening plans of area LGBTQ establishments as they’re shared. For a list of COVID-19 resources for the LGBTQ communities in Central Florida and Tampa Bay, click here.
