Declaration of Public Health Emergency Ron DeSantis
Mission: Governor
To protect,promote&improve the health ,
of all people in Florida through integrated [
state,county&community efforts. fi�� �+�e Scott A.Rivkees,MD
HEALTHState Surgeon General
Vision:To be the Healthiest State in the Nation
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DECLARATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory illness
that appears to occur through respiratory transmission and presents with symptoms similar to
those of influenza; and
WHEREAS, as of February 29, 2020, COVID-19 has spread throughout China and to
67 other countries and territories, including 62 cases within the United States; and
WHEREAS,the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all states
and territories implement aggressive measures to slow and contain transmission of COVID-19
in the United States; and
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020,the World Health Organization declared a public
health emergency of international concern related to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human
Services declared that a public health emergency exists nationwide as a result of confirmed
cases of COVID-19 in the United States; and
WHEREAS, one Hillsborough County resident and one Manatee County resident have
tested presumptively positive for COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-51,
declaring that appropriate measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in the State of Florida
are necessary, and therefore directed that a Public Health Emergency be declared in the State
of Florida; and
WHEREAS,implementation of basic precautions of infection control and prevention,
including staying at home when ill and practicing respiratory and hand hygiene are necessary
to slow or prevent the spread of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a communicable disease with significant morbidity and
mortality, and presents a severe danger to public health; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is a threat to public health in Florida.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Scott A. Rivkees, M.D., State Surgeon General and State
Health Officer,by virtue of Executive Order Number 20-51 issued by Governor Ron DeSantis,
the authority vested in me by section 381.00315, Florida Statutes, and after consultation with
Florida Department of Health Doc#2260132 Bk#3013 Pg#2185
Page 1 of 2
Office of the State Surgeon General Recorded 3/16/2020 11:27 AM
4052 Bald Cypress Way,Bin A-00•Tallahassee,FL 32399
PHONE:850-245-4210•FAX:850-922-9453
FloridaHealth.gov Filed and Recorded in Official Records of
MONROE COUNTY KEVPN MADOK,CPA
Governor Ron DeSantis and public health officials within the Department of Health, do hereby
declare that a public health emergency exists in the State of Florida. In order to respond to this
emergency,the following shall commence:
Section 1. In order to protect public health, I find it is necessary for the Florida
Department of Health to request assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention to address this public health emergency.
Section 2. In order to protect public health, I find it is necessary to advise individuals
in the State of Florida that have traveled to an area that the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention has issued a Warning Level 3 or Alert Level 2 Travel Health Notice, or
have been in close contact with an individual that has traveled to such an area, that
develop symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing within 14
days of such travel or close contact should immediately contact the Florida Department
of Health in their current county and self-isolate until cleared by the Florida
Department of Health.
Section 3. In order to protect public health, I find it is necessary to advise any
individuals who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 to contact their local
county health department prior to travelling to any physician's office, emergency
department, hospital, or urgent care center, to ensure proper protective measures are
taken to prevent further risk of spread to others.
Section 4. In order to protect public health, I find it is necessary to remind health care
providers, hospitals, and labs that they are required to immediately report all suspected
cases of COVID-19 to the local county health department to ensure a prompt public
health response to prevent disease among close contacts.
Section 5. In order to protect public health,the Florida Department of Health will
maintain an Incident Management Team to coordinate the public health response for
the State of Florida.
Section 6. In order to protect public health, the Florida Department of Health, at such
time when necessary, may take actions to protect the public health, pursuant to the
authority of section 381.00315, Florida Statutes, including quarantine, isolation and
other interventions.
Issued this 1st day of March 2020, in Department of Health offices, Tallahassee,
Leon County, Florida.
Q;,►
Scott A. Rivkees, M.D.
State Surgeon General
2