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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis said Thursday that he\u2019ll pardon anyone in the state who has been charged for violating COVID-19 safety measures like masking and social distancing. DeSantis made the announcement on Fox News<\/a> while discussing the case of two gym owners who faced criminal penalties for refusing to enforce social distancing and mask mandates in their establishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DeSantis said he would sign a reprieve on Friday that would delay the case against gym owners Mike and Jillian Carnevale for 60 days, adding that during that time, a clemency board will meet to issue pardons for them and other Florida residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen our clemency board meets in the coming weeks, we\u2019ll issue pardons not only for Mike and Jillian, but for any Floridian that may have outstanding infractions for things like masks and social distancing,\u201d DeSantis said in the interview, which included the Carnivales and \u201cThe Ingraham Angle\u201d host Laura Ingraham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese things with health should be advisory. They should not be punitive,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The former Broward County gym owners were arrested last summer on three different occasions for defying COVID-19 mandates, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. The couple eventually had their gym closed down following warnings from local police. \u201cAs soon as I heard that Mike and Jillian Carnevale were facing criminal penalties, like possible jail time, for not requiring masks at their gym I stepped in to shield them from this local government overreach,\u201d DeSantis tweeted<\/a> , alongside a video of his Fox News appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The governor\u2019s announcement follows his decision last week<\/a> to immediately suspend all local COVID-19 emergency mandates in the state. DeSantis also said he will be outlawing the mandates beginning July 1. He said his administration wants people to \u201clive freely in the state of Florida\u201d and to \u201cenjoy themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In July 2020, Mike filed a civil lawsuit against the county seeking relief from the emergency order<\/a>, which prohibited most gatherings, instated a curfew and enforced social distancing, the Sentinel reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n