DeSantis to pardon Floridians charged with COVID-19 violations

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Thursday that he would grant pardon to any people who will be criminally charged for defying COVID-19 health protocols.
• DeSantis argued that health measures should only be “advisory and not punitive.”
• The governor also said that he would lift all COVID-19 safety restrictions beginning July

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced on Thursday that he would give pardon to any Floridans who were found guilty of violating COVID-19 protocols such as non-wearing of face masks and non-observing of social distancing.

During his interview with Fox News, DeSantis revealed his latest scheme as he talked about two gym owners who were criminally charged since their establishments do not implement COVID-19 safety measures.

The governor disclosed his intention to sign a reprieve Friday to delay the case against gym owners Mike and Jillian Carnevale for at least two months. He also said that a clemency board would be formed to give them pardons, as well as to other state residents who could possibly face charges.

“When our clemency board meets in the coming weeks, we’ll issue pardons not only for Mike and Jillian, but for any Floridian that may have outstanding infractions for things like masks and social distancing,” DeSantis told The Ingraham Angle host Laura Ingraham.

“These things with health should be advisory. They should not be punitive,” he added.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that the gym owners, who had their business at Broward County, were arrested summer of last year thrice in a row for violating health and safety protocols.

The Carnevales were forced to shut down their business after several warnings from local authorities. Per the Sentinel, Mike filed a civil complaint against the county in a bid to seek relief following the state’s emergency order as the restrictions banned social gatherings, implemented social distancing and placed a curfew.

“As soon as I heard that Mike and Jillian Carnevale were facing criminal penalties, like possible jail time, for not requiring masks at their gym I stepped in to shield them from this local government overreach,” DeSantis wrote on Twitter Thursday, attached with his Fox News appearance footage.

DeSantis’ latest statement came following his last week’s directive to quickly halt all of the statewide COVID-19 emergency orders. He also announced that he would counter all COVID-19 mandates starting July 1.

Last March, he passed a measure that would waive fines for those who were found guilty of disobeying COVID-19 guidance.

Ultimately, the governor said that he wants the Floridans to “live freely in the state” and just “enjoy themselves.”

Source: Yahoo News