What You Can, Can’t Do Under Orlando’s Stay-At-Home Order

Photo by Roberto Gonzalez

Here’s what you can do under the stay-at-home order that Orange County Emergency Management ordered Tuesday, which takes effect at 11 p.m. Thursday and will remain in effect for the following 15 days—through at least April 9:

• See a doctor, visit a pharmacy for medication, or seek emergency help;
• Shop for groceries, including supplies needed to work from home and to maintain the safety and sanitation of your homes;
• Walk, hike, run, play golf, ride your bicycle, scooter, skateboard or roller skate, as long as you stay at least six feet from anyone else;
• Care for or transport family members, friends, and pets if they need it;
• Leave your home to provide essential professional services, like construction, building maintenance, airport operations, utility operations, media, banking, and sale of hardware and supplies.
• Acquire takeout or delivery food from restaurants.

Hospital and medical workers, pharmacy employees, law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, some government employees, and some food service and grocery store employees will be allowed to travel to and from work.

Here’s what you can’t do—and if you do it, you’re at risk of being charged with a fine or 60 days in jail (or both):

• Gather in groups of more than 10 people. That means at your home or anyone else’s, inside or outside. That means the closing of amusement parks, water parks, museums, fairs, play centers, playgrounds, recreation centers, gyms, bowling alleys, movie and performance theaters, and clubs;
• Visit loved ones in a hospital, nursing home, or skilled nursing or assisted living facility, except in limited circumstances published on the facilities’ websites;
• Visit friends and family unless it’s necessary.

The order applies throughout the county. It was signed by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and endorsed by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

The order details the difference between what is considered non-essential businesses and essential businesses. The outline for the differentiation can be found by accessing the Executive Order. For example, financial intuitions, hardware stores, government workers, licensed contractors, the media, etc. are considered essential.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office will enforce the order; to report a violation, call 407-836-HELP(4357). In addition, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office will continue to temporarily suspend all eviction activities until further notice.

To better serve and assist residents regarding concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Florida Department of Health has established a Call Center to answer general questions residents and visitors may have. The phone number is 407-723-5004. The Call Center is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Links:

• The stay-at-home order.
• FAQ about the order.
• The county’s website.
• The county’s newsroom website, with updated information about the number of reported cases, available county services, and more.

There are 33 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Orange County as of Sunday.