TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture is urging Governor Ron DeSantis to issue a statewide "stay-at-home" order for all Floridians.
Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a press release on Friday that Gov. DeSantis needs to take action as Florida is starting to see "dramatically increasing" number of coronavirus cases. While she acknowledges that a statewide stay-at-home order may impact Florida's economy, Commissioner Fried said "it is a decision that will save lives."
→ CORONAVIRUS IN FLORIDA: CASES, LOCATIONS & LIVE UPDATES
"Based on the data, we know we are a week behind California's vast increase in COVID-19 cases. The individuals and businesses I've spoken with are growing more anxious by the day. As the nation's third largest state, we need to go further, and we cannot afford to lose another week," Commissioner Fried said in a press release.
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So far, California, New York and Illinois are the only U.S. states to issue their versions of the stay-at-home ordinance as of Friday night.
Below is the full statement released by Commissioner Fried:
