By: WCTV Eyewitness News

March 24, 2020

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- Leon County and the City of Tallahassee have declared that beginning March 25 at 11 p.m., a stay-at-home order and curfew will be put in place to limit the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The curfew will be in place from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

between the county and city below.

Leon County, City of Tallahassee Coronavirus Update; March 24, 2020 Leon County and City of Tallahassee officials are holding a joint press conference to give an update on the COVID-19 coronavirus. Posted by WCTV.tv on Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Leon County Commissioner Bryan Desloge announced the order Tuesday afternoon.

"The decisions we make may disrupt lives, but they may also save lives," said Desloge. He added that the measures are in direct-response to protecting the vulnerable population in the area.

The county and city are

not

requiring any business offices to close.

A stay-at-home order is different from a shelter-at-home order; Leon County and Tallahassee officials are asking residents not to leave home if it is not necessary.

Essential activities could include grocery shopping, going to work or outdoor recreation.

"A lot of communities around the country are doing different things," Desloge said. "The shelter-at-home was an alternative we looked at, but then you get into the slippery slope of what's considered 'essential,' and 'non-essential.' There are some counties around the state of Florida that have tried that with some pretty bad results."

Law enforcement now have the authority to disperse a crowd of 10 or more people. The orders also establish a curfew, giving police the power to stop anyone who's out between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

However, you are allowed to be out for an essential reason during that time; including going to or coming from work.

The full county order has been attached to this article as a PDF. It can be seen at the top of this story for desktop users or at the bottom of the page for mobile viewers.

For more information on COVID-19 in the county, call the health department's hotline at 850-404-6300.

HAPPENING NOW: a joint City-County upstate on community response to COVID-9 @WCTV pic.twitter.com/XzmzhielDx — Monica Casey (@MonicaCaseyNews) March 24, 2020

#BREAKING: “I’m here today to announce that effective 11pm Wednesday, Leon County is issuing a stay at home order” -Commissioner Bryan Desloge — Monica Casey (@MonicaCaseyNews) March 24, 2020

The curfew will be in effect from 11pm to 5am — Monica Casey (@MonicaCaseyNews) March 24, 2020

“All of these orders align with the objectives of local, state, and national health experts” -Desloge — Monica Casey (@MonicaCaseyNews) March 24, 2020

“It is a deliberate and measured approach to protect our county’s vulnerable populations,” said Desloge. “We are not requiring any business office to close.” — Monica Casey (@MonicaCaseyNews) March 24, 2020

Mayor Dailey now speaking. Calls on employers to allow employees to work remote.

Dailey reminds community this does not mean you cannot go to the grocery store, fill your vehicle with gas, or go on a walk — Monica Casey (@MonicaCaseyNews) March 24, 2020

Mayor says local governments have been communicating with health community, schools, universities, and businesses — Monica Casey (@MonicaCaseyNews) March 24, 2020