A state task force charged with developing a plan to restart Florida coronavirus-closed economy was cautioned Monday to seek a "surgical" reopening. The caution comes amid growing demands to return Floridians to their workplaces.

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A state government panel tasked with finding ways to reopen Florida’s coronavirus-paralyzed economy on Monday was told it will have to work in a more “surgical” fashion than other states.

“Florida is unlike any other state in the country,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President Mark Wilson. “Reopening Florida’s economy needs to be surgical.”

The caution comes amid growing demands to return Floridians to their workplaces.

Those hopes were bolstered last week with suggestions that, for example, Florida health care providers might soon be allowed to perform elective surgeries. In addition, there has been talk of allowing some inside dining at restaurants, perhaps limited to 25% of seating, with reservations.

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As it convened on Monday, the discussions and presentations did not identify or discuss specific industries. Instead, members heard from public health authorities, emergency management officials and others who gave an overview of efforts and challenges in stopping community spread of the virus.

Task force members got access to a report by the Florida Chamber concluding that Florida has four characteristics that make its business reawakening different than other states.

Those are:

— A large share of tax receipts coming from tourism.

— A large segment of general revenues come from sales and use taxes.

— The state has a significant portion of people age 65-plus.

— The impending 2020 hurricane season.

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The report was the most comprehensive snapshot of Florida’s economy — and its vulnerabilities to the shutdown. Just three state industries, tourism, retail and construction, have almost 2 million state jobs at risk because of the economic shutdown.

Jerry Parrish, the Florida Chamber Foundation’s chief economist, said the range for a return to pre-coronavirus economic vitality range from the end of 2020, most optimistic prediction, to the midway point of 2024, the most pessimistic forecast.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who organized the task force, said businesses will have to make sure they reopen in a way that inspires public confidence.

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“How much confidence are people going to have?” DeSantis said. That component will be critical and any plan to reopen businesses must safeguard both employees and customers are kept safe, he added.

“Businesses will have to have a plan for when they go back,” said DeSantis. “What’s this going to look like?”

The Florida Chamber’s study pegged the state’s GDP at $1.1 trillion a year. The survey was the most comprehensive assessment of the damage done to Florida’s economy from the shutdown mandated to prevent widespread COVID-19 infections.

The task force will reconvene on Tuesday with two scheduled meetings. DeSantis has said he wants the panel to give him short-term recommendations by the end of the week on ways to reopen some economic sectors and regions.

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