Oct 14, 2021 - COVID

Florida investigates businesses enforcing COVID-19 safety rules

Ben Montgomery

Illustration of business doors being barricaded by a vaccine needle. — Maura Losch/Axios

The state Department of Health is investigating a bevy of Florida businesses for enforcing COVID-19 safety rules that violate the state's law against them.

Flashback: Florida passed a law this year that prohibits businesses from requiring customers to show a proof of vaccine. The department of health can "enforce penalties on applicable entities or institutions that require documentation of vaccination or post-exposure status."

For municipalities, the fine can be as high as $5,000 per infraction.
Anyone can report a violation to [email protected].

Details: The list of businesses (and a few people, like Orlando Mayor Jerry Demings and Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe) is made up mostly of music and performance venues.

Local spots include the Straz Center and MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater in Tampa, plus the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota.

Yes, but: There are also some outliers, like the Gasparilla Music Festival, the Miami Marlins and, strangely, the Florida Trail Association.

Also WTH?: "Starbucks" and "Titusville, Florida's Space Coast."

💬 Our thought bubble: We’d like to hear more about Titanium Yoga's "VAX ONLY" classes.

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Florida investigates businesses enforcing COVID-19 safety rules

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