Some Orange County businesses to stay at 50% capacity despite state entering Phase 3

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Several business owners in the Mills 50 district say they plan to stay at 50% capacity, despite Gov. Ron DeSantis announcing the start of Phase 3.

“It’s just impossible to do both social distancing and 100% capacity,” said Evan Dimov, owner of Too Much Sauce.

Orange County mask mandate remains in place in phase 3, mayor says

Pig Floyd’s and Black Rooster also plan to stay at 50% capacity.

But the decision is mixed at other popular restaurants.

Firebirds is going to 100% and so is Agave Azul. Miller’s Ale House is staying at 50% for now, but they’re building dividers to place between tables so they can increase capacity soon.

Restaurant, bar owners weigh option of increasing seating capacity after DeSantis announces phase 3 of reopening

Some gyms are making the decision to wait on going to full capacity. Orange Theory said it plans to stay at 50% for least a few more weeks.

Despite the governor’s Phase 3 announcement, Orange County officials said nothing changes with its mask mandate.

Florida reports 7 deaths linked to coronavirus, 738 new cases

But some places, like Gator’s Dockside in Baldwin Park have signs up saying they’re encouraging masks but they are “no longer requiring this, as the mandate has been lifted.”

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said his office has fielded calls all weekend from business owners confused about the order. He said Phase 3 does not mean everything is back to normal, like it was before the pandemic.

He said if we become too complacent, we will see a third surge of cases in our community.

See more below:

VIDEO: Mayor Demings weighs in on Phase 3 reopening

Cox Media Group