Renzo Downey- Alabama
- Connecticut
- coronavirus
- coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19
- COVID-19 virus
- Department of Health
- Department of Transportation
- DOH
- DOT
- FDOH
- FDOT
- FHP
- Florida Department of Health
- Florida Department of Transportation
- Florida Highway Patrol
- georgia
- Interstate 10
- Interstate 95
- Louisiana
- new coronavirus
- New Jersey
- New Orleans
- New York
- new york city
- novel coronavirus
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) detailed procedures Sunday for its second coronavirus highway checkpoint, which went up earlier in the day.
The new checkpoint, designed to intercept drivers headed to Florida from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, is now at the Georgia border on I-95. FDOT, the Department of Health and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) had already established a checkpoint at the Alabama border on I-10 intended to intercept drivers from Louisiana.
The I-95 southbound ramp to U.S. 17 is also closed now with a detour through State Route 200 in Yulee.
Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed executive orders directing anyone who had visited the four target states in the previous three weeks and going forward to self-isolate for 14 days or until they leave Florida. The latest of the three orders, signed Friday, permitted the highway checkpoints.
Drivers will be directed to pull over into a weigh station. Depending upon their origin, drivers will be directed to either proceed back to the highway or to pull aside for further screening.
Business travel, including people that live in Georgia and commute to Florida, or product delivery. People performing military, emergency, health or infrastructure response.
Commercial vehicles will be allowed to bypass in the left lane.
Upon entering Florida, each arriving traveler or a family member will be required to complete a traveler form asking for contact information and trip details. Not completing the form or violating the isolation order would be a criminal offense.
Officers will also provide travelers with a card containing contact information and guidance for if they experience COVID-19 symptoms while in isolation.
A dozen FHP troopers in 12-hour shifts will staff the I-95 checkpoint.
When DeSantis announced the Louisiana checkpoint, he suggested a second checkpoint could be on I-95. During a Saturday press briefing, he confirmed the location.
The Florida National Guard has started screening plane passengers disembarking from restricted travel states. DeSantis on Saturday called infected plane travelers “super spreaders.”
