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Gov. Ron DeSantis says he will not allow local governments to mandate lockdowns

The conference came one day after Florida reported 15,431 new COVID-19 cases. 100 more people in Florida have also died from the coronavirus.
Credit: Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP
Florida governor Ron DeSantis answers questions during a press conference touting the expanded rollout of the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19, at Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital in Longwood, Fla., Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered two news conferences across the state Wednesday, one at 1 p.m. in Miami from Hard Rock Stadium and one earlier Wednesday morning in Pensacola.

In Miami, the governor was joined by Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. They announced the addition of COVID-19 vaccinations at the Hard Rock Stadium's existing COVID-19 testing site.

Earlier Wednesday, the governor held a press conference from Olive Baptist Church Pensacola Campus. Alongside him was Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.

Gov. DeSantis talked about the state's plan for rolling out more COVID-19 vaccines. He said later on Wednesday he would have more information about converting state-run drive-thru COVID-19 sites to vaccination distribution locations. 

He also said he would not allow local governments to implement their own lockdowns or fine people for not following mandates. 

"It's not effective," DeSantis said.

The conferences come one day after Florida reported 15,431 new COVID-19 cases. 100 more people in Florida have also died from the coronavirus. 

On Tuesday, Gov. DeSantis spoke in Ocala about the coronavirus vaccine. The state is partnering with Publix grocery stores to get the vaccine out to Florida's 4 million seniors. Some stores in Marion, Citrus and Hernando counties will get a limited supply of the vaccine. 

You can watch the full Pensacola press conference here.

   

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