The recent increase in Florida’s coronavirus cases has drawn the attention of state officials. Speaking in a Saturday press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Department of Business and Professional Regulation would increase the enforcement of reopening rules for bars and restaurants.

The announcement from the Governor is a clear signal that this effort is a priority, and I expect a dramatic increase in the number of Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco inspections and cases over the next several weeks. The Division certainly has the workforce for this mission - following the Governor's now-expired closure order, the Division conducted 8,700 (!) compliance inspections in just over a week.

Please note that violating the Governor’s executive order on reopening is a costly decision, as the penalties can be up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. It’s unclear whether the inspections will focus only on coronavirus safety, but there’s never been a more obvious time to fix any compliance issues your establishment may have. Click below to see the Governor’s remarks on the new inspection effort, and feel free to contact the firm if you need assistance before or after an inspection.

Note: Florida’s coronavirus situation is changing rapidly. Click here to view the firm’s most-recent updates on the regulatory response affecting hotels, restaurants, bars, resorts, and the alcoholic beverage industry. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s frequently-updated resource page is available here.