Dr. Anthony Fauci said Monday it is “very concerning” that Florida fully reopened bars and restaurants, amid reports the state saw the fewest number of positive coronavirus tests in months.
“Well, that is very concerning to me, I mean, we have always said that, myself and Dr. Deborah Birx, who is the coordinator of the task force, that that is something we really need to be careful about,” the nation’s leading infectious disease expert told Good Morning America. “Because when you’re dealing with community spread, and you have the kind of congregate setting where people get together, particularly without masks, you’re really asking for trouble. Now’s the time actually to double down a bit, and I don’t mean close.”
Local outlets reported that the state saw 738 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday and five deaths, the lowest increases Florida has seen in months.
June 2 marked the last time the state saw fewer than 1,000 new daily cases, with 617 positive results.
Overall, Florida has seen 701,302 confirmed cases and 14,037 resident deaths.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced an executive order on Friday, allowing restaurants and bars to reopen fully.
“We are today moving into what we initially called phase three,” DeSantis said. “And what that’ll mean for the restaurants is there will not be limitations from the state of Florida.”
“We’re also saying in the state of Florida everybody has a right to work,” the Republican governor added. “[Local governments] can do reasonable regulations, but they can’t just say no.”
