Bars can reopen Monday
September 11, 2020 - Florida bars can resume sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises on Monday, Sept. 14, after a top state official rescinded an emergency order. Beginning Monday, bars and others that sell alcoholic beverages can operate at 50 percent of their indoor capacity, allow bar service to seated patrons, and permit outdoor seating and service with appropriate social distancing, a news release from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Services said. That's in keeping with Phase 2 of a state plan for recovery after many businesses closed or curtailed operations to slow the spread of Covid-19. Florida DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears said he rescinded the emergency closure order at the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis and Beshears last week held a roundtable in St. Petersburg with local bar and brewery owners who described the economic hardship imposed by the statewide closure order.