Tag: florida

Florida Leads the Nation in New Covid-19 Cases

by dvega007, posted in Covid-19, GRLaw General

It seems that Florida is leading the United States in new cases of Covid-19. This past Saturday and Sunday saw 3,494 and 4,049 new cases respectively; with 21,723 new cases from Sunday to Sunday, the highest in a one-week period since the Covid-19 pandemic started. Governor Ron DeSantis attributes the sudden spike in cases to more widely available tests. South Florida also holds 54% of the state’s Covid-19 related fatalities, totaling 1,725. Nationwide there have been nearly 2.3 million cases with nearly 120,000 deaths.

What precautions can i take?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a cloth facial covering in circumstances where social distancing is difficult to maintain such as in a grocery or a pharmacy. This is particularly important given that people may be asymptomatic (lacking any symptoms) and may be unknowingly spreading Covid-19. Please visit the CDC website for more information.

What this means for me and my business?

With all of this uncertainty and increased rate of people contracting Covid-19, you may be worried how it will affect your business which has reopened in part due to the passing of Phase 1 and Phase 2. Whether you are a landlord or hotel/motel owner who recently rented your property and is concerned they may seek a refund to a store owner who is concerned about the effects of customers not maintaining adequate social distancing; the attorneys at G&R Law are able to assist you in ensuring your business is one step closer to recovery.  G&R Law will work with you during these trying times and within your financial means to help you and your business recover from the effects of Covid-19.

Please click on the link to contact G&R Law to set up your free of charge telephonic or video appointment

Stay safe during these trying times.

David Vega, Esq.

Florida Courts Status Update

by dvega007, posted in Covid-19, GRLaw General

Florida Courts are slowly commencing the process of reopening; however, a greater emphasis is being placed on remote hearings via Zoom rather than in-person appearances. The Supreme Court of Florida recently issued Amendment Number 1 to AOSC20-23 which addresses a series of changes.

Court matters to be heard remotely

Some of the notables changes are that all jury trials shall remain suspended now through and including July 2, 2020. As to non-jury trials and other “non-essential” matters, these will continue to be conducted remotely on a case-by-case basis as determined by the presiding judge and the chief judge of each circuit.

“After COVID-19 has determined that the following proceedings are amenable to being conducted remotely:

  1. Alternative dispute resolution proceedings;
  2. Status, case management, and pretrial conferences in all case types;
  3. Non-evidentiary and evidentiary motion hearings in all case types;
  4. Arraignments and pleas in absentia in county court misdemeanor cases;
  5. Hearings in juvenile delinquency cases;
  6. Hearings in noncriminal traffic infraction cases;
  7. Problem-solving court staffings, hearings, and wellness checks; and
  8. Non-jury trials in all case types, except for criminal, juvenile delinquency, and termination of parental rights petitions in dependency cases unless the parties in an excepted case agree to the remote conduct of a non-jury trial.”

If you have a pending case or have questions regarding a potential claim you may have, please contact the attorneys at G&R Law.

Writs of possession as to Foreclosure/eviction proceedings

The issuance of writ of possessions pursuant to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.580(a) as they related to eviction and/or foreclosure proceedings remain suspended indefinitely. It is advisable if you are a tenant seeking relief on your rent payment or alternatively a landlord seeking to collect rent from your tenant(s) to attempt to communicate and reach a resolution as to a new amount which would be agreeable to both sides. If you are unable to reach a resolution, the attorneys at G&R Law are here to provide assistance.

Family Matters

As to family matters, in-person visitation of children remains suspended if the parents are unable to agree as to a safe manner in which to conduct same. However, electronic communication via video or alternatively telephone is to be conducted in lieu of in-person visitation.

If you are a parent and believe it would be in the best interest of your child to have in-person visitiation with you and it can be done in a manner which would keep both of you safe from Covid-19, the courts are allowing said visitation on a case-by-case basis. The attorneys at G&R Law can assist you in being able to safely enjoy visitation with your child.

What should i do now?

The attorneys at G&R Law are able to assist you in reviewing your leases and negotiating on your behalf with your tenants and/or landlord.  G&R Law will work with you during these trying times to make sure you are able to have visitation with your children so long as it can be done in a safe manner.

Please click on the link to contact G&R Law and set up your free of charge telephonic or video appointment. 

Stay safe during these trying times. 

David Vega, Esq.

Overdue for a Haircut or Nail Appointment?

Featured by dvega007, posted in Covid-19, GRLaw General

Are you starting to look a bit like you belong in an 80’s rock band? Are your nails looking chipped and ragged? Is your barbershop and/or salon ready to take care of the grooming needs of your community? Well you’re in luck since Governor Ron de Santis has issued Executive Order #20-120 Expanding Phase 1: Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery as to Palm Beach County residents.

Barbershops, Cosmetology SAlons and Cosmetology Specialty Salons

Barbershops, cosmetology salons, and cosmetology specialty salons that adopt appropriate social distancing and precautionary measures as outlined by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation at the following link may now open commencing as of 12:01 A.M. on May 11, 2020. This eases the previous restriction as per Executive Order #20-112 in which Palm Beach County barbershops and cosmetology salons were lumped in with those of Broward County and Miami-Dade County and not allowed to open.

Barbershops and salons must operate by appointment only and with at least 15 minutes between appointments so as to properly sanitize the area. Staff must also wear masks.

What this means for Broward and Miami-Dade County barbershops and salons?

While barbershops and salons in Broward and Miami-Dade County are still closed; the fact they were opened in Palm Beach likely means Broward and Miami-Dade are next. As a barbershop and/or salon owner, you should be ready to reopen your business as soon as it is allowed by government officials. The announcement by Governor de Santis as to Palm Beach County was made on May 9, 2020, with only two days notice prior to allowing for these business to reopen. You should contact employees and inform them they should be ready. Also, you should have a supply of masks, gloves, disinfectant and otherwise allow customers to feel at ease your business is serious about protecting them from the potential risks due to Covid-19.

What should I do now?

As a barbershop and/or salon owner, after making sure your business is ready to open once allowed to do so by government officials, you may wish to speak with an attorney to see which options work best for you and your new business model. 

The attorneys at G&R Law are able to assist you in reviewing your leases and negotiating on your behalf with your landlord and/or your employees.  G&R Law will work with you during these trying times and within your financial means to help you and your business recover from Covid-19.

Please click on the link to contact G&R Law and set up your free of charge telephonic or video appointment. 

Stay safe during these trying times. 

David Vega, Esq.

Florida to Partially Reopen Amidst Covid-19

Featured by dvega007, posted in Covid-19, GRLaw General

Governor Ron de Santis has issued Executive Order 20-112 which commences Phase 1 of his “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Stop Plan” to reopen the State of Florida. While the plan is light on the details, the following locations are remaining closed or reopening with restrictions:

AFFECTED BUSINESSES

  • Restaurants can reopen with 25% capacity indoors and outdoor seating will be allowed, all with social-distancing of at least 6 feet and only seating parties of 10 or few people. Bar counters shall remain closed.
  • Bars, pubs and nightclubs that derive more than 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages shall continue to suspend the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.
  • Gyms and fitness centers shall remain closed.
  • Vacation rentals shall remain prohibited.
  • In-store retail centers can operate at 25% of indoor capacity, so long as they continue to abide with the safety guidelines issued by the CDC and OSHA.
  • Both outpatient and inpatient elective surgeries will restart statewide.
  • Museums and libraries can open at 25% of capacity only if their local government allows it. Interactive exhibits shall remain closed.

Enforcement

Any violation of this order shall constitute a second-degree misdemeanor pursuant to section 252.50, Florida Statutes, and is punishable by imprisonment not to exceed 60 days, a fine not to exceed $500, or both.

What should I EXPECT NOW?

As a Florida resident, employee, potential business owner and/or consumer, you are probably now considering the pros and cons of attempting to return to your regular, pre-Covid-19 life. Rest assured, whether it be interpreting a lease, negotiating with your lender for a loan modification or ensuring your business is compliant with these new and ever changing regulations due to the coronavirus, you should speak with an attorney to see which options work best for your specific situation.

The attorneys at G&R Law are able to assist you and will work with you during these trying times and within your financial means to ensure you are able to take your first steps towards recovering from the effects of Covid-19. 

Please click on the link to contact G&R Law and book your free of charge telephonic or virtual appointment. 

Stay safe during these trying times. 

David Vega, Esq.