Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees said social distancing could be needed for a year or longer.
Rivkees made his comments on Monday. They were detailed in a report by the Orlando Sentinel.
The newspaper reported that Rivkees said the social distancing guidelines might have to remain in place until a vaccine is developed. It said most experts predict a vaccine is at least a year away.
“We don’t have a vaccine at the present time, so our mitigation measure is the social distancing,” Rivkees said. “As long as we’re going to have COVID in the environment — and this is a tough virus — we’re going to have to practice these measures so that we are all protected ... based on what has been reported, probably a year if not longer is what some individuals have talked about."
The Sentinel noted that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has spoken about how the measures are temporary and that residents are not likely to follow a stay-at-home order indefinitely.
Helen Ferre, a spokeswoman for DeSantis said Rivkees’ comments did not conflict with administration policy. She said that while social distancing measures might be relaxed as the threat eases, some protective measures will be needed until there’s a vaccine.
Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator for the White House’s coronavirus task force has said it is important that Americans not let their guard down yet, as a second wave of the virus could occur.