DeSantis Cancels All COVID-19 Fines Issued By Local Governments

FLORIDA — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Wednesday canceling all fines related to violations of COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions put in place by local governments.

Executive Order No. 21-65 cancels the fines imposed on all businesses and people between March 1, 2020 and Wednesday “in light of the unprecedented local government restrictions.”

Subscribe

The governor’s order was approved by the state’s Board of Executive Clemency.

The order can serve as a defense against the collection of pandemic-related fines by local governments. It doesn’t apply to any COVID-19-related orders or enforcement by the state, including any fines imposed by the state on assisted living facilities, hospitals or other health care providers.

DeSantis discussed the order at a Thursday press conference.

"I think those fines are out of control, and we want to make sure that folks are protected. Most of those restrictions have not been effective. That’s just the reality. The evidence is in on that, so we just want to really go forward fresh. And we want people to make decisions, but we don’t want it under the heavy-handed government,” he said, according to Bay News 9.

The governor previously issued an executive order in September suspending the collection of fines and penalties related to COVID-19 restrictions by local governments.

There’s some uncertainty about how this order will affect municipalities that have been fining businesses and individuals for violating local pandemic ordinances.

“Local actions and COVID protocols have helped to keep Floridians safe and healthy. Time and again, in the absence of state leadership and a coherent strategy, cities like St. Pete have had to take the lead. We will continue to do so as best we can,” St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman wrote on Facebook Wednesday.