Monroe County to enact tougher restrictions to control novel coronavirus spread
Monroe County is enacting tougher restrictions throughout the Florida Keys in its effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Monroe Mayor Heather Carruthers said on a Facebook Live session Tuesday afternoon that these include making everyone inside a business that is allowed to stay open wear face coverings. That includes customers and staff.
The new rules that go into effect Wednesday will also require that all businesses that are open limit the amount of people inside to 50 percent of the building’s capacity.
“And, also to provide visual cues so people will know how far apart six feet is when they’re in there,” Carruthers said.
Businesses must also provide disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer to employees and customers, said Kristen Livengood, county spokeswoman.
Similar rules were already put into effect in the city of Key West this week.
Carruthers said the county is encouraging people to wear homemade masks made of cloth, or a bandanna, instead of buying medical masks, which she said are needed by medical personnel.
The county also put forth tougher screening rules for people entering the Keys though Key West International Airport and Marathon Florida Keys Airport.
Effective midnight Wednesday, all people flying into the Keys must be screened for COVID-19 by the Department of Health workers or members of Monroe County Fire Rescue, Livengood said.
Arriving passengers must also self-quarantine at their own expense for 14 days or the duration of their stay in the Keys, whichever is shorter, according to a county press release. Violating the new rule could lead to a 60-day jail sentence or a fine of up to $500.
Carruthers said flights into either airport are significantly down. On Monday, 12 planes flew into Key West. On an average day, 37 flights come into the Southernmost City’s airport.
This story was originally published April 7, 2020 at 4:12 PM.
