After pressure from Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has extended a moratorium on the cancellation of policies until the end of the year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The moratorium, which started in March as COVID-19 began to cause massive economic problems and job losses, had been scheduled to expire Aug. 15. But in a prepared statement Saturday about the extension, Citizens Chairman Bo Rivard said COVID-19 has been a "moving target."

"Our top priority has been and will continue to be our policyholders," Citizens President and CEO Barry Gilway said in a statement. "This extension will provide our customers with further assurances that we have their backs during hurricane season and beyond."