GOP Florida Governor Ron DeSantis lifts COVID restrictions, effective immediately

With the COVID-19 vaccination drive being in full swing in the United States, Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida, announced his decision to end all COVID-19 related restrictions imposed in the state. The decision, which was announced on Monday, is subject to be effective immediately. 

The restrictions were lifted in a two-part effort, the first of which was signing an executive order to remove restrictions till July 1, post which a new law, signed by DeSantis on Monday, would ensure the continuity of a restriction-less Florida. 

“That’s the evidence thing to do,” the Republican governor said at a news conference in St Petersburg, referring to the reduction in infections and deaths as the vaccine rollout continues.

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According to the data provided by the US health department, around 9 million people have already been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Florida, reported AFP.

“At this point, the people that haven’t been vaccinated is certainly not because of a lack of supply or a lack of availability,” he added.

The vaccine was made available last Friday for everyone over the age of 16 without the need for proof of state residency, a document that had been required since January to cope with the initial high demand.

This enabled vaccinations for undocumented migrants, who had difficulty proving their residency, and, tacitly, so-called vaccine tourism, reported AFP.

DeSantis criticised the strict security measures that remain in place in other states.

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He said that those who still say they need to police residents are therefore saying they “don’t believe in the vaccines.”

Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available, in many cases without appointment, at federal, state and county centres; in addition to numerous pharmacies and supermarkets, reported AFP.

DeSantis added that neither the state nor county and municipal governments can close businesses for failing to comply with pandemic measures.