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Friday, June 9, 2023 | 
U.S. & World Health

Party time is over in Florida

Spring break during the coronavirus is over

By Herb Scribner Herb Scribnerhscribner@deseretnews.com
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In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Becky Lawrence sanitizes a point of sale system at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Key West, Fla. The iconic watering hole, a frequent hangout of the late writer Ernest Hemingway, was void of customers Tuesday evening as it joined other bars around Florida that closed under a state declaration signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus. (Carol Tedesco/Florida Keys News Bureau via AP)

In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Becky Lawrence sanitizes a point of sale system at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Key West, Fla. The iconic watering hole, a frequent hangout of the late writer Ernest Hemingway, was void of customers Tuesday evening as it joined other bars around Florida that closed under a state declaration signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

Carol Tedesco via Associated Press

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the party is over for spring breakers partying during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the New York Post.

What’s going on:

  • Health officials across the country have encouraged young people to stay inside during the coronavirus pandemic. Much of the reason is because young people can become infected and spread the infection as they move about the public.
  • But young people have spread to beaches across the country, especially in Florida since it is spring break season.
  • Now, DeSantis has called for an end to people rushing to the beach. He spoke on “Fox & Friends” about what he intends to do now.
  • Scott said: “The message I think for spring breakers is that the party’s over in Florida,” he told “Fox & Friends.” “You’re not going to be able to congregate on any beach in the state. Many of the hot spots that people like to go to, whether it’s Miami beach, Fort Lauderdale, Clearwater Beach, are closed entirely for the time being.”
  • DeSantis said: “So we would tell those folks maybe come back next year when things are better, but that is not what we’re looking for.”

Florida Sen. Rick Scott talked about it, too.

  • Florida Sen. Rick Scott called for parties to “Get off the beaches.”
  • He told CNN: “What are you thinking about by being on the beach around all these people that might have coronavirus and you’re going to go home and potentially infect the people you love the most. What are you thinking? Stop doing it now!”