New DeSantis Order Overrides Local Lockdown Orders

The Tampa Bay Times reports:

Hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a statewide stay-at-home order Wednesday, he quietly signed a second order to override restrictions put in place by local governments to halt the spread of coronavirus.

The second order states that new state guidelines that take effect Friday morning “shall supersede any conflicting official action or order issued by local officials in response to COVID-19.” In other words, local governments cannot place any limitations that would be more strict than the statewide guidelines.

Locally, it means Hillsborough County cannot mandate churches close their doors, a rule that drew national attention and the ire of the local Republican Party after Tampa megachurch The River of Tampa Bay held two Sunday services, leading to the arrest of pastor Rodney Howard Browne.

In other words, any Liberty Counsel lawsuit may be moot.

NEW: Unbeknownst to many, Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly signed a second executive order last night that says Florida's statewide stay-at-home order will supersede any local responses to the coronavirus.https://t.co/9w4ey4fwTy

— Steve Contorno (@scontorno) April 2, 2020