American and Delta Airlines and Silver Airways have resumed air service into Key West International airport and the Port of Key West has also reopened for daytime operations, with the first cruise ship port call expected on September 24 and 26.

All bridges on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway have also been deemed as safe for travel, with storm damage being quickly repaired, according to Florida Department of Transportation officials.

Energy service officials have also indicated that more than 95% of power has been restored from Key West to Crane Boulevard on Sugarloaf Key.

The news comes as the East Coast of the US is currently bracing for high winds from Hurricane Maria, after it caused devastation in the Caribbean.

It expected that North Carolina will be next to bear the worst of the storm, although it is not currently predicted to make landfall along the coast, CNN reports. 

A local state of emergency is still in effect, and Florida Keys officials are continuing to discourage visitors who wish to travel the Keys via the Florida Keys Overseas Highway to avoid hindering recovery efforts.

Roman Gastesi, county administrator of Monroe Count, said: "The Keys have come a long way in a short time, but we still have work to do to get the Keys ready for visitors."

 
Harold Wheeler, tourism council director of Florida Keys, added: “We’ll be welcoming visitors as soon as we get the full go-ahead from Monroe County officials and cities within our five distinct tourism districts."

The island chain’s official targeted reopening date is currently October 20, the beginning of Key West’s Fantasy Fest, however, that date may be brought forward.