Florida to Reopen State Parks on Monday May 4, DeSantis Says

(Bloomberg) -- Florida plans to reopen its state parks on May 4 as part of a broader move to start relaxing controls in the state next week.

Speaking Friday in Jacksonville, Governor Ron DeSantis said he wanted to encourage Floridians to get outdoors and stay fit.

“The parks are an important part of quality of life,” DeSantis said.

Appearing with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, DeSantis praised the reopening of northeast Florida beaches two weeks ago, a move that was criticized by some as coming too soon.

Earlier this week, DeSantis said he would reopen restaurants and retail on Monday in most parts of the state, while keeping establishments such as movie theaters and bars closed. Still, DeSantis is making an exception to maintain stay-home measures in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, the three most populous and the hardest-hit by the virus.

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