Governor Ron DeSantis sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Monday formally requesting that he declare a Major Disaster as Florida responds to COVID-19.
The letter requested the inclusion of the following Individual Assistance Programs in the declaration: Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Community Disaster Loans and the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Program.
The declaration is submitted as a result of the COVID-19 response for the incident period beginning January 20, 2020, for all sixty-seven (67) counties. In addition to the Individual Assistance Programs, the declaration requests additional resources and support from FEMA.
The letter to Trump comes as DeSantis implemented measures on Monday to curb the spread of coronavirus, requiring anyone on a flight from the New York City area to self-isolate for 14 days upon arriving in Florida.
The move makes it a criminal penalty to violate the quarantine order, applying to all people whose points of departure originate from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut. The order takes effect tomorrow at 12:01 a.m.
As it stands, confirmed cases in Florida sits at 1,227 total cases. The death toll also rose on Monday, with four additional deaths bringing the total in the state to 18.
To view the Governor’s letter to Trump, click HERE.