FRLA FAQ and Executive Orders by Lois Croft
By Lois Croft, FRLA Director lcroft@FRLA.org – p.239.339.7692
Hotel Frequently Asked Questions
HOTELS
What’s the rule for public lodging establishments?
The Governor’s Executive Order 20-112 states Floridians shall continue to limit personal interactions outside their homes, and further states Floridians should avoid nonessential travel. FRLA has received guidance from DBPR that public lodging establishments are “not restricted at the state level from accepting reservations or admitting guests based on the purpose of the guests’ lodging.” This does not apply to vacation rentals, which are explicitly prohibited from operating at the present time. Please be advised that there may be local regulations in effect which permit only essential lodgers to stay at public lodging establishments.
Q: Can vacation rentals operate?
A: Vacation rentals remain closed under Executive Order 20-112.
Q: Can I open my hotel/motel pool?
A: Opening the pool invites social congregation and social distancing violations, thus should remain closed. The decks can be open for food service, as long as there are tables and those tables are adhering to the 6 feet rule
Q: 14 day quarantine for guests coming from the Tri-State area. Does this still exist and if so what responsibilities do hotels have to enforce where reservations are coming from?
A: The orders that require quarantine from NY, NJ, CT, LA, and other “areas of substantial community spread” are EO 20-80 and EO 20-86. These EO’s have been extended with EO 20-114. These orders impose no duty on hoteliers. No other self- quarantines are required from other states.
Q: How should hotels respond to requests for accommodations from Dade/Broward/Palm Beach and any other area in the US that is “highly infected”?
A: The orders regarding travelers only apply to those traveling to Florida, not within Florida. These orders impose no duty on hoteliers.
Meeting quarantine requirements is the responsibility of the traveler, not the hotel where they stay. The orders do not establish any hotel responsibility. Some hotels voluntarily inform their guests with a notice at the front desk or other advisory, such as this one posted on our covid-19 website: Notice To Travelers Arriving From Areas With Community Spread of COVID-19.
EO 20-52 State of Emergency – this has been extended
Executive Order 20-52 – Emergency Declaration
Effective: March 09, 2020
Expires: after 60 days (May 8, 2020), extended for additional 60 days
Effect: establishes a state of emergency in Florida regarding the covid-19 pandemic.
EO 20-80 Air Passenger Quarantine – this has been extended
Executive Order 20-80 – Air Passenger Quarantine
Effective: March 23, 2020
Expires: upon expiration of EO 20-52
Effect: Requires “tri-state” (NY, NJ, CT) air passengers to quarantine for 14 days. No duty imposed on hoteliers.
EO 20-86 Additional Traveler Requirements – this has been extended
Executive Order 20-86 – Additional Requirements of Certain Individuals Traveling to Florida
Effective: March 27, 2020
Expires: upon expiration of EO 20-52
Effect: Requires persons entering Florida from “areas of substantial community spread,” including Louisiana, to quarantine for 14 days, regardless of transportation mode. No duty imposed on hoteliers.