This morning, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-192. This Executive Order rescinds the previous employee screening requirements for restaurant employees. This means employees who have previously tested positive do not need to receive two negative tests before they can come back to work. Employers are required only to implement screening protocols pursuant to CDC guidance.

Click here for the CDC FAQs for businesses.

This Executive Order also removes the requirement that employees who have traveled through an airport in the last 14 days be prohibited from working in a restaurant.

Further, Executive Order 20-192 rescinds the travel restrictions for the tri-state area – New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Read EO 20-192

[Palm Beach, Fla] – Today, the Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) awarded $27,500 in college scholarships to 14 Palm Beach area culinary and hospitality high school students. Scholarship funds were raised during the annual Palm Beach E.A.T.S. (Education, Agriculture, Together, Showcase) event held earlier this year.

2020 Scholarship Winners
Hospitality & Tourism Management Program (HTMP) Students

• Faith Underwood – Palm Beach Gardens HS will attend Tallahassee Community College
• Carolyn Von Werne – Palm Beach Gardens HS will attend St. John’s University
• Jylene Velez – Palm Beach Gardens HS will attend University of Central Florida
• Falencia Aulbrice – Palm Beach Gardens HS will attend University of Central Florida
• Stephany Escobar – Palm Beach Gardens HS will attend Palm Beach State
• Emily Loomis – Forest Hill Community HS will attend University of North Florida
• Clarvens Philosthene – Olympic Heights HS will attend Barry University
• Anterica Benyard – Palm Beach Gardens HS will attend Florida Atlantic University
• Jaden Walker – Palm Beach Gardens will attend HS Rollins College
• Nathanael Jolteus – Palm Beach Gardens will attend HS Wake Forest University
• Serena Boggs – Palm Beach Gardens will attend HS Bethune-Cookman University

Culinary/ProStart Students

• Jade Kelley* – Palm Beach Gardens HS will attend Palm Beach State *FINK WINNER
• Jasmin Pickens – Wellington will attend Valencia Community College
• Mia Rideau – Palm Beach Gardens HS will attend Clark Atlantic University

“We had a tremendous increase in scholarship applications this year, and we realize the need is greater than ever,” said Nick Velardo, FRLA Committee Chair for Education and Vice President of Food and Beverage for The Breakers. “By providing scholarship support to students who are interested in the culinary and hospitality field, we strengthen the future of the industry.”

“FRLA is committed to investing in the future of the hospitality industry, and I am pleased that we can support these students’ efforts for continuing their education,” said Jodi Cross, Palm Beach County FRLA Regional Director. “I want to extend a special thanks to Tom and Lynn Fink for their ongoing generous support and contribution in honor of their son. This year, the Brian Fink Memorial Scholarship Fund contributed $4,000 to one lucky student winner.”

About the Brian Fink Memorial Scholarship
The Brian Fink Memorial Scholarship is given by Brian’s family. Brian was a career technical student who brought joy and laughter to those who knew and loved him. Brian’s family has endowed this scholarship in hopes that the recipient of this award will pass on this celebration of life to others.

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(L-R: Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Sergio’s President and FRLA Executive Board Member Carlos Gazitua, and U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Jerome Adams prepare to distribute donated masks to South Florida restaurant and hotel employees)

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY – Today, at Sergio’s Restaurant in Doral, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) hosted U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Jerome Adams, Lieutenant Governor Jeannette Nuñez, and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez to announce a partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to distribute nearly one million reusable cloth masks to restaurant and hotel workers across Florida.

“Protecting our employees and guests is our top priority,” said Carlos Gazitua, President of Sergio’s Family Restaurants and Executive Board Member of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We are incredibly grateful to Surgeon General Jerome Adams and HHS for donating these masks to our workers and to Lieutenant Governor Nuñez and Mayor Gimenez for participating today to bring awareness to these important efforts.”

“FRLA is so proud to partner with the HHS and the Surgeon General to distribute these masks to our great hospitality team members across Florida,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “I want to acknowledge Carlos Gazitua for his efforts to coordinate this critical partnership and thank Lt. Governor Nuñez, Governor DeSantis, and Mayor Gimenez for their leadership and efforts to keep our state and our businesses operating safely.”

As a follow-up to the event today, masks will be distributed regionally across the state. Distribution event dates and locations are forthcoming.

For more information, contact the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association at [email protected].

TALLAHASSEE –Today, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) announced the first 12 restaurants and hotels to achieve the FRLA Seal of Commitment, demonstrating their dedication to enhanced safety and sanitation practices. Establishments across Florida have achieved the Seal, with dozens more in progress, representing the statewide commitment of the hospitality industry to the health and safety of employees and guests.

Seal of Commitment Achievers:

Seaside Amelia Inn, an Innisfree hotel* (First Hotel Achiever)
Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Ellenton* (First Restaurant Achiever)
Okeechobee Steakhouse, West Palm Beach
Okeechobee Prime Meat Market, West Palm Beach
Grand Oaks Resort, Lady Lake
House of Leaf & Bean, Jacksonville
One Ocean Resort & Spa, Atlantic Beach
Don Juan’s Restaurant, Jacksonville
Shangri-La Springs/Harvest & Wisdom, Bonita Springs
Kyle G’s Prime Seafood & Steak, Jensen Beach
Burg’r Bar, Punta Gorda
Michael’s on East, Sarasota

“FRLA is incredibly proud to designate these establishments with our Seal of Commitment for their dedication to sanitation excellence,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “Through this achievement, they are prioritizing the safety and health of their employees and guests. We applaud them for their extraordinary efforts to go above and beyond to ensure cleanliness and safety while building consumer confidence. We encourage all of our wonderful hotels and restaurants to pursue the Seal of Commitment.”

“The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and RCS have been performing safety and sanitation training for quite some time now,” said Olivia Hoblit, Regional Manager, Seaside Amelia Inn, Innisfree Hotels and first hotel Seal of Commitment achiever. “I am extremely pleased to see this additional program established. The safety of our guests and employees is our top priority. Receiving the Seal from FRLA gives our guests confidence that our business is sanitary, safe, and the staff is well trained. It plays a major role in our business and builds trust with our guests.”

“We wanted to be the first restaurant to receive the FRLA Seal of Commitment as we feel it is so important to not only talk the talk but walk the walk in keeping our restaurants safe and secure for our guests and our staff during these crazy times,” said John Horne, Owner and President, Anna Maria Oyster Bar. “Having the FRLA’s Seal behind us lets our guests know loud and clear that we are committed to everyone’s healthy return to our – and all – restaurants in Florida.”

Awarded establishments have invested considerable resources to ensure the establishment, staff, and guests remain safe and healthy. In a post COVID-19 atmosphere, when guests see an FRLA Seal of Commitment sticker on an establishment’s door, they can be confident that the business is committed to sanitation excellence and protecting employees and guests.

 To qualify for the FRLA Seal of Commitment, businesses must ensure that all managers have a current food manager certification, all employees have a current Florida food handler certificate, and all employees have completed the FRLA COVID-19 Sanitation & Safety Course. Additionally, establishments must meet specific sanitation standards outlined in the FRLA Seal of Commitment Guidelines. Once compliance with these guidelines is confirmed, FRLA will award the Seal of Commitment.

To learn more about the FRLA Seal of Commitment or to apply for designation, visit frla.org/sealofcommitment.

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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, named Sergio’s Family Restaurant of Miami, FL as the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week.

Rubio released the following video message to congratulate Sergio’s Restaurant as the Senate Small Business of the Week. A broadcast quality version can be found here.

“Hello, this is Senator Marco Rubio, I”m the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

“And today, I’m honoring one of my family’s favorites, Sergio’s Family Restaurant of Miami, Florida as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

“Since 1975, Sergio’s has served delicious, high-quality Cuban-American food

“And forty-five years later, this third generation family-owned small business has grown to include thirteen locations.

“Their professionalism, excellence, and community involvement has been recognized by local leaders and industry awards.

“Like many of Florida’s small businesses, Sergio’s Family Restaurant stepped up to support their community and advocate for small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.

“They donated thousands of meals to first responders, healthcare workers, and local families in need, as well as masks to local small businesses.

“A Paycheck Protection Program loan enabled Sergio’s Family Restaurant to keep their employees paid and adapt their business to follow all necessary public health procedures.

“So congratulations to one of my favorites, the entire team at Sergio’s Family Restaurant, on being named the Senate Small Business of the week!”

“I look forward to your continued success and service.”

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Rubio continues the tradition of honoring America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to the Small Business Administration and investigates all problems relating to America’s small businesses.

~This pilot program will reduce wait time and expedite test results to symptomatic individuals~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –  Today, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) announced that four state-supported drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites will begin offering separate, observed self-swab lanes to symptomatic individuals to reduce wait time at testing sites and to expedite their test results, beginning Friday, July 17.

This pilot program will begin at the following state-supported testing sites:

• War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale (Broward County)
• Regency Square Mall (Duval County)
• Orange County Convention Center (Orange County)
• Hard Rock Stadium (Miami-Dade County)

While appointments are not necessary to be tested, individuals going to the Orange County Convention Center and the Regency Square Mall sites can make an appointment at DoINeedACOVID19Test.com for their convenience. Appointments are not available at this time for self-swab testing at the Hard Rock Stadium or the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale.

At the sites, symptomatic individuals will be directed to a separate lane for testing and will be provided an observed, self-swab test under the supervision of a health care professional.

Observed self-swab tests will be offered to those 5 and older with symptoms of COVID-19. Results from the self-swab test will be sent to a separate lab and will be available within 72 hours via e-mail. The Orange County Convention Center and the Hard Rock Stadium sites will be able to conduct up to 500 self-swabbing tests per day, the War Memorial Auditorium site will be able to conduct up to 1,000 self-swabbing tests per day and the Regency Square Mall site will be able to conduct up to 2,200 self-swabbing tests per day.

If the pilot program is successful, FDEM will expand this program to more state-run testing sites.

The state currently supports 50 COVID-testing sites across the state, with the capacity to conduct up to 29,000 tests per day. The state continues to expand testing capacity, in addition to supporting county-run testing efforts, to ensure all Floridians are able to receive a COVID-19 test. To date, state-supported testing sites has conducted more than 750,000 tests. A list of state-supported testing sites can be found here.

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TALLAHASSEE—Today, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) launched a new standard for hospitality safety and sanitation practices, the FRLA Seal of Commitment. The Seal of Commitment demonstrates that the establishment meets thorough safety and sanitation standards as designated by FRLA. Awarded establishments have invested considerable resources to ensure the establishment, staff, and guests remain safe and healthy. In a post COVID-19 atmosphere, when guests see an FRLA Seal of Commitment sticker on an establishment’s door, they can be confident that the business is sanitary and safe and the staff are well trained.

“Employee and guest safety is paramount for Florida’s hospitality industry,” said Carol Dover, FRLA President and CEO. “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, our hotels and restaurants adhered to strict sanitation, food safety, and training guidelines. With the Seal of Commitment program, we have built on the foundation of those excellent standards to do even more to ensure cleanliness and safety and help build consumer confidence. Establishments can display their awarded Seal as a promise to guests of their strict adherence to these rigorous standards.”

To qualify for the FRLA Seal of Commitment, businesses must ensure that all managers have a current food manager certification, all employees have a current Florida food handler certificate, and all employees have completed the FRLA COVID-19 Sanitation & Safety Course. Additionally, establishments must meet specific sanitation standards outlined in the FRLA Seal of Commitment Guidelines. Once compliance with these guidelines is confirmed, FRLA will award the Seal of Commitment

To learn more about the FRLA Seal of Commitment or to apply for designation, visit frla.org/sealofcommitment.

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