July 1 coronavirus news

As Covid-19 cases continue to rise in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday he was less worried about July 4 outdoor gatherings this coming weekend because “the science is pretty clear” that they are safer.

There are no plans at the state level to close beaches or parks.

“Doing things outdoors in Florida is less risky than doing things when you’re packed indoors,” he said in a news conference Wednesday, in response to a question about Fourth of July weekend. He added that “it needs to be controlled” but that certain localities are doing that, and that his bigger concern was people crowding indoors.

He did caution those 65 and older, and those who have underlying medical conditions, to take necessary measures to isolate.

“We all have a responsibility not to put others in jeopardy,” he said.

CNN asks Gov. DeSantis about case spike:

President Trump said Wednesday he still supports a phase four stimulus plan, but added that he believes “it has to be done properly.”

Asked if he wanted direct payments to be larger, the President said he wants to see more money going to Americans.

“I want the money getting to people to be larger so they can spend it, I want the money to get there quickly and in a non-complicated fashion and they wanted to make it too complicated, also it was an incentive not to go to work. You’d make more money if you don’t go to work, that’s not what the country is all about and people didn’t want that,” Trump said.

On unemployment benefits, Trump didn’t answer directly when asked if he agreed with extending the $600 enhanced benefit that’s set to expire.

“We’re getting together, we’re going to meet tonight,” he said. “And we’re going to make a determination but it’s going to be a good number, a substantial number. People are going to be happy.”

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo said Wednesday she would consider closing bars in the state if more owners did not comply with health regulations.

Raimondo made the announcement after a large inspection of bars on Friday that found 18% did not have adequate social distancing. She said the state would begin ramping up enforcement.

"If we continue to see that, we're gonna close the bars,” Raimondo added. “It's really that simple."

California cities struggling with the spread of coronavirus are being encouraged to cancel their upcoming Independence Day fireworks shows in an effort to eliminate crowds, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today in a news conference.

The cancellation of some major fireworks shows has already been done in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Newsom also warned again of family gatherings over the Fourth of July weekend, saying that while the holiday is typically time for festive barbecues, inviting extended family from outside of your household should be reconsidered.

Newsom compared mask wearing to using a helmet while on a motorcycle or a seat belt in a car.

President Trump said that he would have “no problem” wearing a face mask in public, claiming he is “all for masks” in an interview on Fox Business Wednesday.

Trump said that he didn’t believe making masks mandatory across the country was necessary, but claimed that he is “all for masks” and that he “thinks masks are good.” The Trump administration has consistently said mask mandates are up to state and local leaders.

Asked by Fox Business’ Blake Berman on whether he would wear a mask, Trump said: “Oh I would. I have. I mean people have seen me wearing one. If I’m in a group of people where we’re not 10 feet away — but usually I’m not in that position and everyone’s tested.”

Trump then claimed that he would “have no problem” with the public seeing him wearing a mask — despite months of refusing to wear a mask in public while not observing social distancing. 

“I mean I’d have no problem. Actually I had a mask on. I sort of liked the way I looked. It was ok. It was a dark, black mask and I thought it looked okay. It looked like the Lone Ranger. But no, I have no problem with that. I think and if people feel good about it they should do it," Trump said. 

In the interview, Trump also added that he still believes coronavirus will “disappear” someday.  

Asked if he actually believes the virus will still disappear, Trump said, “I do. I do Yeah sure. At some point. And I think we’re going to have a vaccine very soon too.” 

Trump says he is 'all for masks' 

Access to California's state beaches will be restricted for the upcoming holiday weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in a news conference today. The beaches themselves will not be closed, but rather parking lots and facilities will be.

This applies to state beaches from Northern California to Southern California, Newsom said.

Closures have already been announced at county beaches in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura.

The measure is part of wider restrictions announced today by Newsom in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the state.

Cases in California continue to skyrocket, reaching 9,740 in a single day —by far the highest recorded in the state since the beginning of the pandemic, according to data from the California Public Health Department.

Watch:

The Austin City Limits Music Festival is canceled for this year, according to a statement on the festival website.

"The health and safety of our fans, artists, partners, staff and the entire Austin community remains our highest priority," the statement read. It will return to Austin in 2021 for the 20th anniversary of the festival. 

"Few events are rooted in – & embody - the soul of this city like ACL Fest & their hard decision for the greater good is applauded," Austin Mayor Steve Fisher tweeted. "While the show won’t go on this year, there are many ways to support local musicians while we all look forward to the 20th Anniversary next year."

The statement says that tickets purchased for this year's festival, which was scheduled to take place over two weekends in October, will be honored next year. Refunds are being offered to the fans who are unable to attend the 2021 dates. 

The 2018 festival brought in $264.6 million, according to an economic impact report commissioned by the festival. The 2019 data has not been released as of July 1. 

ACL Fest attracted 450,000 festival goers in 2018, according to C3 Presents, which puts on the annual festival.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced a new order that requires masks to be worn whenever anyone leaves home, a measure he said is “essential to stopping the recent increase in Covid-19 cases” seen recently in the state.

Some context: The order, signed by Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, takes effect immediately, and expands on an April order that requires the wearing of masks in businesses.

Apple announced on Wednesday that it will temporarily close an additional 46 stores across the US due to an uptick in coronavirus cases.

In a statement, the tech giant said that "due to current COVID-19 conditions in some of the communities we serve, we are temporarily closing stores in these areas."  

Apple announced that it is closing additional stores in: Alabama, California, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Florida, Mississippi, Texas and Utah. 

Apple reopened dozens of its 271 United States stores last month after shutting them because of coronavirus.

CNN’s Rishi Iyengar contributed to this report.