COVID pandemic hit Florida hard 4 years ago today. Here’s what happened in March 2020

ORLANDO, Fla. – Life changed drastically four years ago when shutdowns, closures and more took over as the coronavirus situation picked up.

On March 13, 2020, spring break was extended for Florida students and theme parks announced closures.

Here’s what the rest of March 2020 looked like as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly evolved.

March 13 – Spring break extended

• The state orders that all Florida public schools take an additional week off after spring break with the intent to resume classes on March 30.

March 13 – Theme parks announce closure

March 17 – First drive-up coronavirus testing opens in Central Florida

March 17 – Bars/nightclubs shut down

• Gov. Ron DeSantis orders that all bars and nightclubs be shut down statewide. We also learned students won’t return to class until at least mid-April.

March 20 – Restaurants ordered to switch to take-out, delivery only

March 20 – Orange County institutes curfew

• Orange County was the first in Central Florida to issue a curfew. The curfew required residents to stay indoors from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., with exception to first responders and health professionals.

March 23 – Visitors from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut ordered to self-isolate

March 23 – Flagler County beaches close

March 24 – Universal extends closure

March 24 – Stay-at-home orders issued in Orange County

March 26 – Brevard beaches close

March 27 – Seminole County issues social-distancing mandate

March 30 – Retired first responders/medical personnel asked to return to workforce

• DeSantis asks retired first responders and medical personnel to return to the workforce so they can help to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

To view a full timeline on the spread of coronavirus in Florida, click here.