Initially, only operators in the health care, financial, energy, food, communications and transportation sectors were deemed essential. Pro wrestling organization WWE was put on hold when the state's shelter-in-place order took effect on April 3 amid the coronavirus pandemic. But now it is able to resume live television shows from Orlando, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced, according to ESPN.
A spokesperson from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' office told the news outlet that the order was revised to include "employees at a professional sports and media production with a national audience" because "they are critical to Florida's economy."
This means that "athletes, entertainers, production team, executive team, media team and any others necessary to facilitate including services supporting such production" are exempt from the stay-at-home order, provided that "the location is closed to the general public."
After several weeks of taped programming, WWE will now run live shows, a spokesperson confirmed to ESPN.
"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."
As of Tuesday, it was unclear whether the exemption would also apply to UFC events but a spokesperson pointed out that the memo did not specify any particular sport, it simply stipulated that event locations be closed to the public. This could give other sporting events the green flag to resume in the state.
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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