Leon County is lifting its curfew for residents. The county announced an update Thursday to its Stay-at-Home order. The change goes into effect on April 3 at 12:01 a.m. That's the same time a state-wide order issued by Governor Ron DeSantis is activated.
The local update directs residents to follow the state-wide order. The county says the governor’s directive bars local governments from making their own rules, but in a press conference ThursdayGovernor Ron DeSantis said that wasn’t his intent. He says the state is setting minimum standards, but there’s room for locals to make stricter rules.
“We have the baseline, if some folks want to do things more, then they can do things in certain situations. We want to work with the local folks. I think each region in Florida is very distinct and some of these things need to be approached a little differently," DeSantis said.
A spokesman for Leon County says local leaders had put a curfew in place since surrounding communities did not have Stay-at-Home orders, and officials wanted to keep out-of-towners from gathering in Leon. He says that concern has been addressed now that a new state-wide order is in place.
In a statement Leon County Commission Chair Bryan Desloge said, "The Governor’s order provides consistency across the state when it comes to protecting public health and safety. For all Leon County residents, we are safer at home and when we practice physical distancing. Today’s revised order ensures our County is consistent with the state when taking action to protect our most vulnerable populations.”
Under the order people are encouraged to stay at home. When they go out, they're ured to avoid groups of people while continuing regular activities like going on a walk to going to the grocery store.
