Florida issues its first statewide coronavirus text alert. This is what it means

Florida issued its first mass emergency alert urging people who are 65 and older or have medical conditions to stay inside.

On Wednesday, Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees issued a public health advisory because of the rapid spread of COVID-19.

The advisory urged “All individuals over the age of 65 and all individuals of any age with high-risk conditions should remain in their residence and take all measures to limit the risk of exposure to COVID19.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Saturday during a press conference that a text alert would be issued about the coronavirus outbreak.

Shortly after 4 p.m., the state issued its first text alert since the coronavirus began its spread into Florida three weeks ago. The alert was based on the advisory. It read, “FL Surgeon Gen: Stay home if 65+ or have medical conditions. All follow social distancing.”

The advisory is not an order, just an “urging.”

While the alert was meant to go out to every Florida resident, some say they never received it.

The Florida State Emergency Operations Center says the message was sent out statewide and some may not have received it if they had emergency alerts turned off on their phone.

Miami-Dade County sent out its own emergency alert on Friday that read: “All residents are urged to remain in their homes except for essential activities.”

The alert came a day after Miami-Dade’s Mayor Carlos Gimenez issued an order under the heading “Safer at Home” that urged people to remain inside unless performing essential activities.