Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has determined that WWE”™s professional wrestling bouts constitute an essential business within the state”™s response to COVID-19, thus enabling the Stamford-headquartered company to continue production in its WWE Performance Center in Orlando.
Florida enacted a statewide stay-at-home order beginning April 3 and tentatively scheduled to expire April 30. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, WWE has been taping shows without an audience at its Florida venue; it also broadcast a live event on Monday. The company said it was providing its performers and staff with medical screenings, and it confirmed that an unnamed “on-air talent” tested positive for the virus.
According to a Miami Herald report, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings told a press conference that the decision to include WWE among the state”™s essential businesses came directly from DeSantis”™ administration.
“I think initially there was a review that was done and they were not initially deemed an essential business,” he said. “With some conversation with the governor”™s office regarding the governor”™s order, they were deemed an essential business. Therefore, they were allowed to remain open.”
