Cities in Miami are closing their doors in the United States

Miami Beach, FL – As the number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to rise throughout the nation, the City of Miami Beach is ramping up additional measures to curtail large crowds from gathering and encourage social distancing.

Starting tomorrow in Miami Beach, non-essential businesses citywide will be required to close daily by 10 p.m. until further notice, and the city is urging restaurants, bars and nightclubs to decrease their capacity by 50 percent to create social distancing. Businesses excluded from this mandate include: pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores, private offices, banks, hotels, hospitals, medical service providers, medical supply stores, hardware stores, gasoline service stations and automotive supply/repair centers.

Additionally, there will be a complete closure of the beaches from Fifth to 15 streets until further notice. An 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will also be enforced in the city’s entertainment district starting Monday, March 16. City-owned parking garages and surface lots citywide will only be open to residents with proof of residency and access card holders.

“It simply can’t be business as usual in our City,” said Mayor Dan Gelber. “COVID-19 is a threat as much here as anywhere. We simply cannot endure these kinds of gatherings and crowds. Our measures are intended to send a clear message that Spring Break is cancelled and that everyone, even young people home from school, need to embrace these health and safety concerns. We are proud of our hospitality industry, and concerned with the toll it will have on our businesses and workers but we cannot elevate those concerns above very real health risks.”

The City of Miami Beach is partnering with their northern neighbor, the City of Fort Lauderdale, to both implement similar measures in deterring large spring break crowds. Both municipalities have faced similar challenges with the influx of large crowds this time of the year and are aligned in their efforts to implement social distancing.

“We have to do everything possible to minimize crowds and unfortunately, our beautiful beaches must be part of that plan,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis. “I want to be clear that this is not an overreaction, but a way for us to help stop further cases of COVID-19 in our community. We must all do our part to save lives. This includes protecting our residents, visitors, and our first responders.”