Governor Ron DeSantis overturns COVID-19 fines issued by local governments
ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Wednesday that bans any county or municipality from fining people or businesses due to coronavirus safety violations.
The order covers from March 1, 2020 to March 10, 2021. Previously, under another executive order, DeSantis banned COVID-19 related fines and restrictions. Through a loophole, however, local governments like Orange County have imposed fines against businesses that flout COVID-19 safety precautions.
New Executive Order #21-65
“I hereby remit any fines imposed between March 1, 2020, and March 10, 2021, by any political subdivision of Florida related to local government COVID-19 restrictions,” DeSantis’ new executive order reads.