Topline Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to lift restrictions on seating capacity at restaurants, making it the largest state to do so, the Republican said Thursday. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis gesticulates during a press conference relating hurricane season … [+] updates at the Miami-Dade Emergency Operations Center on June 8, 2020 in Miami. (Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images) Getty Images Key Facts Restaurants are currently allowed to operate at 50% capacity in Florida under an executive order from DeSantis. The restriction has stood unchanged since mid-May, despite a summer where Florida shattered national records in confirmed coronavirus cases. DeSantis did close bars amid the massive coronavirus spike, but they have since been allowed to reopen. Florida remains one of a handful of states, all with Republican governors, without a statewide mask-wearing mandate. DeSantis made the statement Thursday during a discussion with doctors and scientists, invited by the governor, who were critical of the use of masks to mitigate spread, in stark contrast with the scientific consensus. Critical Quote “I don’t think that the closure of restaurants has been particularly effective,” DeSantis said. “They’re not going to be able to be closed by locals anymore, and they’ll be able to operate at the capacity that they’re comfortable with.” Tangent The… Click below to read the full story from Forbes
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