As the state’s number of coronavirus cases and its death toll continue to climb, Florida is getting back to business.
Many retail and restaurant businesses around the state are now open, with restrictions, as part of Phase One of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ reopening plan.
Jacksonville attorney Tyler White is a principal with Jackson Lewis and specializes in employment issues.
He said Monday on First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross that establishments are looking for guidance on how to conduct business but also keep employees and customers safe.
“The first thing that I think many employers that have retail or restaurant businesses are looking at is safety," Lewis said.
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White said in the absence of uniform federal guidance, businesses are looking to trade groups like the Florida Restaurant Association for tips to follow as they reopen.
"I think the next thing they look at under this new phase opening is financial viability. And they really have to determine whether or not operating at 25% capacity - including all of the things that they’re going to have to do to operate safely - does that make financial sense for them, particularly if that means being a place where potentially, COVID 19 is found to have spread?”
You can listen to the full interview with White here.
Melissa Ross can be reached at mross@wjct.org, 904-358-6382 or on Twitter at @MelissainJax.
