As states across the country prohibit the mass gatherings that make sporting events possible, Florida has declared professional sports league employees and their media partners "essential services."

With that, WWE can resume operating after Gov. Ron DeSantis gave a statewide "shelter-in-place" order on April 3 that will expire on April 30 at the earliest.

"With some conversation with the governor's office regarding the governor's order, they were deemed an essential business. And so, therefore, they were allowed to remain open," Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said during a news conference Monday.

A memo from the governor's office dated April 9 that expanded upon the essential workers in Florida included "employees at a professional sports (league) and media production with a national audience — including athletes, entertainers, production team, executive team, media team and any others necessary to facilitate including services supporting such production — only if the location is closed to the general public."

WWE has been airing matches — including a two-night, Wrestlemania 36 event that featured former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski — from its training center in Orlando without fans in the stands.

"We believe it is now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times," WWE said in a statement. "We are producing content on a closed set with only essential personnel in attendance following appropriate guidelines while taking additional precautions to ensure the health and wellness of our performers and staff. As a brand that has been woven into the fabric of society, WWE and its Superstars bring families together and deliver a sense of hope, determination and perseverance."

The decision marked some positive news for WWE CEO Vince McMahon, whose startup professional football league, the XFL, filed for bankruptcy on Monday after firing all of its employees and ceasing operations Friday.