Florida Mask Mandates Extended as Vaccine Rollout Continues

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – As vaccine distribution continues, Florida counties rule to extend mask mandates. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings revealed a three-phase reopening plan for Orange County this week. Phase one, which became effective Wednesday, includes reducing social distancing guidelines from 6 feet to 3 feet and requiring fully vaccinated individuals to follow CDC guidelines for wearing facial coverings. Phase two and three are to become effective as 50 percent and 60 percent of the population are fully vaccinated.

The Seminole County mask mandate was also extended on Tuesday. A 3-2 vote by the Seminole County Board of Commissioners ruled that the mandate should continue past June 7th for the safety of residents.

However, if the county experiences a 30-day decline in cases and 50 percent of the population 16+ has been vaccinated, or if medical experts recommend it, the mandate will be lifted.

Other Florida counties’ mandates remain the same with some (Osceola County, Marion County) upholding their county-wide mask mandate. Others (Volusia County, Polk County, Lake County, Flagler County, and Brevard County) strongly urge or selectively require residents to wear face coverings.

These rulings follow Governor Ron DeSantis’ decision to extend Florida’s state of emergency for another 60 days, determining that “COVID-19 poses a continuing threat to the health, safety and welfare of the State of Florida and its residents.” This extension allows the governor to continue directing funds to COVID-19 relief and supplies.

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Chloe Zijl is a contributing writer for Florida National News, part of the FNN News Network. | info@floridanationalews.com