The Florida Keys Island Chain Has Reopened to Visitors

The Florida Keys are a string of tropical islands stretching about 120 miles off the southern tip of the US state of Florida, between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. They’re known as a destination for fishing, boating, snorkeling and scuba diving.

The southernmost city of Key West is famous for Duval Street’s many bars, Mallory Square’s nightly Sunset Celebration and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. Reopening measures included the removal of health checkpoints on two roads into the island chain, and the suspension of airport health screenings, except for passengers on nonstop flights from designated COVID-19 hotspot states. Keys lodging properties, restaurants, beaches, attractions, watersports and other businesses have implemented safeguards.

These include enhanced sanitising; reduced occupancy limits; required social distancing and the wearing of masks and barriers or increased space between seating areas and restaurant tables. The Keys tourism council's website highlights protective health practices for travellers to adopt while in the destination, intended to safeguard themselves and others. The Keys tourism industry supports about 26,500 jobs, according to a recent analytic study, employing about 45 per cent of the 125-mile island chain’s workforce.

These include enhanced sanitising; reduced occupancy limits; required social distancing and the wearing of masks and barriers or increased space between seating areas and restaurant tables. The Keys tourism council's website highlights protective health practices for travellers to adopt while in the destination, intended to safeguard themselves and others. The Keys tourism industry supports about 26,500 jobs, according to a recent analytic study, employing about 45 per cent of the 125-mile island chain’s workforce.

Website: www.fla-keys.com