HOLT, Fla., April 1, 2020—Florida is shutting down for the next 30 days as the state nears the 7,000 coronavirus infected mark.

In a noon news conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his stay-at-home order for the state will begin at midnight tomorrow.

This decision comes after yesterday’s presidential extension of the national COVID-19 guidelines.

“When the president did the 30-day extension, to me…that’s a national pause button,” DeSantis said. “That’s a signal from the president that this is what we’re going to be fighting for a month.”

Florida’s stay-at-home order means people are to only venture out for essential services or necessities.

Examples of what’s essential include medical, first responders, law enforcement, childcare, groceries, banks, gas stations, post office. Restaurants are allowed to serve drive-through, pick-up or delivery only.

This is not an all-inclusive list.

Okaloosa County’s COVID-19 data. (Florida Department of Health)

Florida has the sixth highest COVID-19 cases in the world, according to Johns Hopkins Hospital data.

As of 2 p.m. today, Florida’s Department of Health data shows the state with 6,955 cases and 87 deaths. Okaloosa County has 39 cases with one death so far.

Escambia County to the west has the highest number of cases in the northwest panhandle with 94. Santa Rosa’s numbers, continuing to climb, are at 44 with two deaths. Walton County is holding at 18 cases.

Stephanie Holcombe