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Gov. DeSantis Issues "Stay-At-Home" Order

Governor Ron DeSantis announced a stay-at-home order for Florida during a press conference on Wednesday. It takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on April 3 .

“I’m issuing an executive order directing all Floridians to limit movements and personal interactions outside the home to only those necessary to obtain and provide essential services or conduct essential activities,” DeSantis said.  

DeSantis did not offer specifics for enforcing the order, but said people will not face scrutiny for conducting and engaging in essential business.

“I see some of these stories around the country where you kind of have, like, you know, someone steps out and, like, someone wants to get them arrested,” DeSantis said. “Look, at some point you do need to just exercise good judgement, the government can’t hamfist everyone into their bedroom, that’s just not practical.”

DeSantis said the order was modeled after guidelines outlined by the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the stay-at-home orderalready in effect for Miami-Dade County.

DeSantis said the order will be in effect until April 30.

Andrea Perdomo is a reporter for WGCU News. She started her career in public radio as an intern for the Miami-based NPR station, WLRN. Andrea graduated from Florida International University, where she was a contributing writer for the student-run newspaper, The Panther Press, and was also a member of the university's Society of Professional Journalists chapter.