Florida News – Highlights from around the state – March 25th
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Governor DeSantis signed an executive order commanding everyone who has traveled from New York to Florida within the past three weeks to self-isolate, make contact with county health officials and detail all direct interactions with people they’ve had since returning. New York has half of the total cases in the US currently.
- The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has eased requirements to apply for and qualify for unemployment benefits. Current applicants won’t be required to apply online or show that they’re available for employment. These new guidelines apply to:
- People who were ordered to quarantine by a medical professional or a government agency.
- Those who are laid off or sent home without pay for an extended period by their employer due to COVID-19.
- Those who are caring for an immediate family member who is diagnosed with the virus.
- Benefits are available at www.floridajobs.org
- Fourteen University of Florida students and six University of Tampa students have tested positive for COVID-19 after Spring Break. As a result,both universities are planning summer courses to be online only. Other universities are evaluating similar plans.
- A Holland America cruise ship with 42 passengers who are ill is enroute to Port Everglades. The ship doesn’t have any test kits onboard and is currently scheduled to arrive on March 30th. Multiple local officials are attempting to prevent its arrival.