Recent guidelines from the White House shed new light on what it might take to reopen bars in Florida

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Recent guidelines from the White House shed new light on what it might take to reopen bars in Florida.

Bars are able to be open now if they also have a food license.

READ: Health officials urge Central Floridians to mask up, social distance Labor Day weekend to avoid another COVID-19 spike

However, when it comes to opening traditional bars, the White House advises Governor Ron DeSantis to keep them closed until COVID-19 positivity rates fall below three percent.

During a meeting with bar and brewery owners in St. Petersburg Thursday, Governor DeSantis made it clear the final decision on when to reopen bars will be up to him.

Four days ago, the White House sent its weekly COVID-19 update to governors, containing specific advice on how each state should manage the virus.

READ: Orange County health department told to stop releasing school COVID-19 case numbers, health officer says

The report designates 8 out of 10 Central Florida Counties as being in the “yellow zone,” meaning there’s still ongoing community spread in the area.

Neither the Governor’s office, nor the Department of Business and Professional Regulation said whether they intend to follow the White House’s recommendations.

Cox Media Group